"Never leave your child in the car!": In the heat, break windows if necessary, advises an expert

Created: 2022-06-23Updated: 2022-06-23 10:27 am

By: Natalie Hull Drawbar

The temperature in the car rises to 70 degrees Celsius, the pulse of the small body is weak, unconsciousness and heat death are the result.

Munich – What reads like a horror scenario threatens in Germany every year.

Jump to the supermarket on the way, while the sleeping baby can stay in the car for a moment.

After all, it won't be long, parents think at the moment.

A fatal decision, which the child can pay for with its life in the current summer temperatures with record values ​​of over 30 degrees Celsius.

Doctors and experts from the ADAC urgently warn against leaving children or pets alone in the car in midsummer.

"Never leave a child in the car": Expert warns of danger to life in the heat

Summer is here and with it the high temperatures.

What can already physically affect many adults, especially older people, is often an additional burden for children.

Their small bodies produce less sweat to cool themselves, resulting in low heat output.

As a result, they can regulate their body temperature less quickly or well.

Leaving children in the car at high temperatures can be life-threatening.

Their small bodies are less able to regulate heat compared to adults.

(Iconic image) © Jérôme Gorin/Imago

In the worst case, on hot days, the car can become a death trap if parents leave the little ones in it for a supposedly short time.

In view of the forecast by meteorologists for a heat wave in Germany with over 40 degrees Celsius, it is always better to take children with you.

Heat death in the car: temperature can rise from 28 to over 40 degrees Celsius

The "Apotheken Umschau" explains how quickly the temperature can rise in a closed car when it's in the sun.

Even if you heed tips and park the car in the shade when the weather is very hot, a child left inside could suffer from heat stroke and die.

From an outside temperature of 30 degrees Celsius, the heat in a closed vehicle increases so much that there is a risk of death: After only about 15 to 30 minutes, the scale reaches a menacing 45 degrees Celsius.

If first aid is not provided immediately, it is often too late.

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First aid for heat stroke

Immediately bring the affected child into the shade, put their legs up and cover their face, neck and upper body with cool water-soaked cloths as far as possible.

Cold quark or yoghurt can also help.

If there is no shady place nearby, protect the child from the heat with a blanket, a jacket or an open umbrella.

If the child is already unconscious, place them in the recovery position.

If the child is still conscious and able to talk, offer him something to drink if possible, preferably water or alternatively fruit juice spritzers and tea.

Warm drinks cause the blood vessels to dilate and the liquid can be better absorbed by the blood.

Only now make the emergency call 112.

Until the emergency services arrive, keep checking the child's consciousness and breathing.

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Heat stroke in the car: In an emergency, you can also smash the windows of someone else's vehicle

Herbert Fuss, head of the traffic and technology department at ADAC, appeals and criticizes at the same time in an interview with Südwestrundfunk: "Parents should [...] never leave their child in the car.

'I'll go shopping' is irresponsible and borders on bodily harm.”

It is a criminal offense to leave children in the car when it is hot

Parents who leave their child in the car when the temperature is too high are legally committing a criminal offense of bodily harm and child abuse.

The abuse of wards (bodily harm) as well as the mistreatment of wards (child abuse) is punishable under Section 225 of the Criminal Code (StGB) with imprisonment from six months to ten years.

Under certain circumstances, only one administrative offense is assessed with a fine of up to 25,000 euros

Herbert Fuss from the ADAC continues to call for this when people discover a child in a parked car at high temperatures: "The following applies at all times: free the child if you see it alone in the car in a supermarket parking lot.

'Emergency aid' applies here, so you are entitled to break the windows.” It would take too long for the police and fire brigade to get to the scene and the child might already have developed heat stroke and thus become life-threatening.

This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication.

In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor.

Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about clinical pictures.