Hyperthermia: Summer's deadly friend Published Aug. 5, 2009 By Senior Airman Nicole Gittens 87 Air Base Wing safety JOINT BASE MCGURIE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- It may seem like commonsense to not leave your children or pets in an unattended car but if it is, why is it that every year you hear at least one story about a child dying in a hot car? (Pets don't make the news) Hyperthermia is defined simply as the overheating of the body. When the body is exposed to extreme temperatures even for a short amount of time, it is in danger of overheating. Duh! Right? Heat stroke occurs when a person's body temperature exceeds 104°F and the body's thermoregulatory mechanism is overwhelmed; by the time the body reaches 107°F, the core body temperature is considered lethal because cells become damaged and organs fail. This presents a danger in children three to five times greater than in adults because a child's thermoregulatory system is not as efficient. So how do you know when it is okay to leave your child in the car? Well, the safest answer is "DON'T!" A 1995 study conducted by The Journal of the Louisiana State Medical Society examined the interior temperature change of vehicles parked outside in the heat. They compared the temperature change from an enclosed, dark-colored vehicle with the temperature change of a light-colored vehicle with the windows partially opened. The temperature outside was 93°F (humidity not included) but within only 20 minutes of being parked, the interior temperature of both cars exceeded 125°F and after 40 minutes had elapsed the vehicles reached approximately 140°F. The study revealed that leaving the windows of the car partially opened had very little effect on regulating the amount of heat accumulated in the vehicle. And though one might say it would be smart for the child to get out of the car when it got too hot, 190 of the deaths reported from 1998-2007 involved children 1 year old and younger; that is 55 percent of cases reported during that time frame. From 1998 to present, there have been at least 419 hyperthermia deaths due to children being left in their vehicles. To avoid hyperthermia, be sure to remain hydrated, avoid alcohol and caffeine. If it is too hot and heat exhaustion is nearing, cool off by swimming, taking a cool shower or running through the sprinklers (it's fun!!). Do not overdress or wear clothing not suitable for extreme temperatures and use your best judgment of which activities are suitable during temperatures of extreme heat (as you would with temperatures of extreme cold.) Do not underestimate the temperature outside or how much heat their bodies can take. Be responsible and be sure to have a great and safe summer. One tragedy is one too many. Reminder: your pets can become overheated too, be sure to take them into consideration. For more information on hyperthermia, its symptoms or prevention or any of the information provided in this article, the links below are excellent sources. Educate yourself; ignorance is seldom a good defense. http://www.healthscout.com/ http://www.injuryprevention.org/ http://ggweather.com/heat/ http://dallas.injuryboard.com/wrongful-death/some-statistics-regarding-hot-car-deaths.aspx?googleid=244788