High-Tech and Low-Tech Ways to Help Prevent In-Car Heatstroke

By Tracey Dowdy

According to the National Safety Council, forty-two children have died after being left alone in a hot vehicle in 2019. While the danger is highest during the summer, deaths have been recorded for every month thus far, and are a risk in every state, even those with moderate temperatures. The NSC reports that “with an outside ambient air temperature of 72°F, the internal vehicle temperature can reach 117°F within 60 minutes, with 80% of the temperature increase occurring in the first 30 minutes.” If the temperature is between 72° and 96°F, the temperature inside your vehicle can jump 40 degrees in an hour. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that heatstroke is the leading cause of non-car crash vehicular death in children under 15

Hacks, like putting your cell phone or work bag in the back seat beside your child or creating your own version of Sophie’s Baby Forget-Me-Not, are practical ways to remind yourself to check the backseat. Alternatively, you could set a reminder in your phone, make a habit of calling or texting a spouse or family member to confirm drop-off or ask your daycare to text notification if your child isn’t dropped off. 

This year’s number is higher than average, and in response, automakers in the US have voluntarily committed to adding rear-seat warnings in essentially all new cars and trucks by model year 2025. The details of what the alerts will look like are unclear, however, they’re likely to be a combination of “auditory and visual alerts” that will turn on after the driver turns off the vehicle. 

Some vehicles, like the Kia Telluride, already come with a Rear-Occupant Alert System. Not only will it give you an on-screen alert that someone’s in the back, but it will also set off the car’s alarm if you walk away.

Until technology like this is available across the board, there are

devices available that can help you remember to check the backseat and prevent any more tragic deaths. 

Your favorite traffic app, Waze, can be set up to remind you to check the backseat when you reach your destination. Go to Settings and turn on the “Child Reminder” feature to start getting the notifications. You can even set a personalized message to further customize the alert. 

On the other hand, if you’re not a fan of Waze – currently, Cookie Monster is narrating my turn by turn directions, but you do you – the Kars 4 Kids Safety App for Android is available on Google Play. The app connects to your car’s Bluetooth so that when you leave the car, an alarm sounds. You can even add your child’s photo to customize the reminder. 

The Elepho eClip Baby Reminder is a car seat baby alarm that attaches to the car seat or seat belt, connects to your smartphone, and sends proximity alerts. Once activated, it syncs via Bluetooth to either your smartphone or an accompanying key fob. If you leave your child in the car and walk more than 15 feet away, an alarm will sound. If for any reason you don’t respond, the eClip will automatically text your spouse, partner, family, or friend. It also has a built-in thermometer and will alert the driver if the backseat is overheating or too cold. 

The Backseat App is available on iPhones and Android, and because it doesn’t rely on Bluetooth, it’s useful to parents who are driving older model vehicles that don’t have the technology built-in. One of its best features is that it works in multiple countries, including Australia, Canada, France, Mexico, New Zealand, and the U.K. Via the car’s GPS, the app reminds drivers to check the backseat when the car is parked. If the driver fails to respond to the alert, an email and a text message are sent to three pre-selected contacts that there’s a possibility a child has been left in the car. The messages also send the location of your vehicle, along with your car’s identifying characteristics.

The CYBEX Sirona M SensorSafe Car Seat is for children from birth up to 65 lbs, (approx. 4 years). When you get out of the car, the SensorSafe 2.0 automatically reminds you about the baby in the car seat via both the installed vehicle receiver and again through the SensorSafe app available for iOS and Android. The system turns on after you’ve driven for 30 seconds at 5 mph or more and monitors both whether the car seat’s chest clip is buckled or unbuckled and the temperature inside the car, using an internal thermometer in the chest clip. When the vehicle is stopped, the ignition turned off, or the chest clip released, an alert sounds, signaling that your child is still in their car seat. 

The Ride N Remind system monitors your vehicle’s rear doors and is automatically activated when either rear door is opened and closes within fifteen minutes of your vehicle is started or if the rear doors are opened and closed while your vehicle is running. Once the ignition is turned off, Ride & Remind emits a distinctive and continuous chime, reminding you to check the backseat. To deactivate the chime, users press a button located inside, near the rear door. If for any reason the chime is not responded to within 40 seconds, your car’s horn will alert you and anyone nearby with a loud, continuous SOS signal. Note: requires professional installation. 

If your child’s caregiver isn’t a big smartphone user, the Bee-Safe Child Auto Alarm is a low-cost system that alerts drivers to the possibility of children both in the back seat or behind the vehicle. The design is decidedly low tech – just peel and stick the unit on the panel behind the driver’s door. Installation takes less than 30 seconds. Best of all, they’re currently offering a Fall buy-one-get-one sale.

Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Washington DC. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances, edits and researches on subjects ranging from family and education to history and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.

Comments:

  1. Ateşli öpüşmevidyoları döverek sex yapma videosu sexs porno öpüşme otobuste
    lez sex filimleri götensikişpornogöster. Kızın göt deliğinden sokmaya çalışıyor izle.
    2 hafta önce 12 izlenme. Dar kot pantolonlu kadın pornosu.
    2 hafta önce 10 izlenme. Helen deytrois. 1 ay önce 20 izlenme.
    Dogal lezbiyen. 1 ay önce 16.

  2. Howdy would you mind letting me know which webhost you’re utilizing?
    I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different browsers
    and I must say this blog loads a lot quicker then most.
    Can you recommend a good web hosting provider at a honest price?
    Thanks, I appreciate it!

  3. Yesterday, while I was at work, my sister stole my iphone and tested to see if it can survive a twenty five foot
    drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now destroyed and she
    has 83 views. I know this is totally off topic but I had to share it with someone!

  4. I’d like to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this website.
    I’m hoping to view the same high-grade blog posts by you later on as well.

    In truth, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my very own website now 😉

  5. I like the helpful information you provide in your articles.
    I will bookmark your weblog and check again here regularly.
    I’m quite sure I’ll learn lots of new stuff right here!
    Best of luck for the next!

  6. Hi there! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and tell you I truly enjoy reading your blog posts.

    Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that deal with
    the same subjects? Thank you!

  7. This blog was… how do you say it? Relevant!! Finally I’ve found something that helped me.
    Thanks!

  8. I would like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this
    site. I am hoping to see the same high-grade
    content by you later on as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my very
    own blog now 😉

  9. I always emailed this website post page to all my friends,
    since if like to read it afterward my contacts will too.

  10. Simply want to say your article is as amazing. The clarity in your put up is simply excellent and i can think you’re an expert in this subject.
    Well with your permission let me to grasp your feed to keep up to date with coming near near post.
    Thank you 1,000,000 and please carry on the rewarding
    work.

  11. Excellent post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed!

    Extremely helpful information specially the last part 🙂 I care for such information a lot.
    I was looking for this certain info for
    a long time. Thank you and good luck.

  12. Definitely believe that which you stated. Your favorite justification appeared to be on the internet the
    simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while people think about
    worries that they plainly don’t know about. You managed
    to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole
    thing without having side effect , people can take a
    signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks

  13. Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if
    you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that
    automatically tweet my newest twitter updates.
    I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and
    was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this.
    Please let me know if you run into anything.
    I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look
    forward to your new updates.

  14. Appreciating the dedication you put into your site and detailed information you present.
    It’s nice to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t
    the same old rehashed material. Wonderful read!
    I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to
    my Google account.

  15. Hey! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new
    apple iphone! Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward
    to all your posts! Keep up the excellent work!

  16. Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Many thanks,
    However I am going through issues with your RSS. I don’t understand the reason why I cannot join it.
    Is there anybody else getting identical RSS problems?
    Anybody who knows the solution will you kindly respond?
    Thanks!!

  17. I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog
    and was wondering what all is needed to get set up? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny?
    I’m not very internet smart so I’m not 100% certain. Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated.
    Appreciate it

  18. I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good.
    I do not know who you are but definitely you’re going to
    a famous blogger if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!

  19. Howdy just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let
    you know a few of the images aren’t loading correctly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue.
    I’ve tried it in two different browsers and both show the same
    outcome.

  20. Greetings from Los angeles! I’m bored to tears at work so I decided to browse your blog on my iphone during lunch break.
    I enjoy the knowledge you present here and can’t wait to take
    a look when I get home. I’m surprised at how quick your blog loaded
    on my phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G ..

    Anyhow, fantastic site!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *