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May 1, 2024 – As another hot Louisiana summer approaches, the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission and state and national safety advocates came together on Wednesday to urge parents and caregivers to never leave a child in a parked car, even for just a moment.
Wednesday’s LHSC media briefing highlighted Gov. Jeff Landry’s proclamation that designated May 1 as Child Heatstroke Prevention Day. Pediatric Vehicular Heatstroke can happen very quickly in a parked car, where temperatures can rise 15-20 degrees Fahrenheit in as little as 15 minutes.
Since 1998, 36 children have died from Pediatric Vehicular Heatstroke in Louisiana. On a per capita basis, that represents the highest number of deaths in any state. Nationally, 969 children have died from PVH during that time.
Joining LHSC Executive Director Lisa Freeman were Deputy Attorney General Larry Frieman; Louisiana State Police Superintendent Col. Robert Hodges; National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Region 6 Administrator Dr. Maggi Gunnels; pediatrician, chair of the state Child Death Review Panel, and Louisiana Department of Health/Office of Public Health Southeast Region 9 Administrator and Medical Director Dr. Gina Lagarde; LHSC Board of Commissioners Vice Chair Lt. Col. Mark Oxley (retired, State Police); and Safe Kids Worldwide President Torine Creppy.
Pediatric Vehicular Heatstroke often happens by accident when a parent or caregiver changes their routine. The adult becomes distracted and forgets the child is in the back seat, leading to tragic consequences.
“It is a heart-breaking issue,” Freeman said. “We hope by calling attention to this, we can make someone out there think twice before they park their car with a child inside.”
Frieman said being the top state in the country in per capita number of PVH deaths is "unacceptable."
We have to be very cognizant of this, and we have to educate the people," he said. "We should have zero deaths of children going forward."
“We are here to work together with parents and the community to prevent Pediatric Vehicular Heatstroke,” Murrill said. “As a mother, I mourn the children lost to PVH. As a public official, I urge everyone to remember: Never leave a child in a car. Never!”
“Louisiana State Police is committed to raising awareness of the prevention of child heatstroke incidents,” Col. Hodges added. “It is crucial to remain vigilant and attentive regarding children in vehicles, as leaving a child in a hot car can result in tragic and avoidable consequences. If you encounter a child in danger, please call 911 immediately to report the incident. Together, we can all do our part to keep our children and community safe.”
“We’re marking May 1 as National Heatstroke Awareness Day to help spread this lifesaving message to parents and caregivers,” Dr. Gunnels said.
“Children are much more susceptible to heat exhaustion and heatstroke than adults,” Dr. Lagarde said. “Within 15 minutes, the interior of an unattended automobile can reach temperatures that can cause devastating effects to children.”
“The key to preventing these tragedies is for every parent and caregiver to understand that this can happen to anybody,” Creppy concluded.
Wednesday’s event also marked the unveiling of NHTSA’s new public awareness campaign: “Never Leave a Child in a Car. Stop. Look. Lock.”
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