Child in a hot car?

How to travel safely in the summer?

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When temperatures rise, it is important to keep a few key things in mind to ensure you travel safely by car with children. The first step is always choosing a car seat that is suitable for your child, but in the summer, it is also good to remember hot-weather recommendations to ensure your child is safe and comfortable on summer road trips.

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See the quick guide to choosing a car seat here.

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Why is it not recommended to leave a child in a car unattended?

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The temperature in a parked car can rise by about 3 degrees Celsius in just ten minutes and by more than 10 degrees in 30 minutes.

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Even if the windows are open, the car's temperature can still rise surprisingly quickly. Children are particularly susceptible to heat because their bodies generate more heat in proportion to their size, and their ability to sweat is not yet as well-developed as in adults. That is why it is extremely dangerous to leave a child (and, of course, pets!) unattended in a car on warm days.

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How to ensure a safe car trip for your child in the summer?

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It is recommended that a child is never left unattended in a car, even if you are only stopping for a moment to pick up groceries or an ice cream.

Check on your child regularly and take them out into the fresh air as often as possible to ensure their safety during the drive.

It is a good idea to keep a thermometer in the back seat so you can easily monitor the interior temperature. For this, you can use, for example, a bath thermometer or the temperature function found in many baby monitors .

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It is always recommended to protect the child's head from direct sunlight coming through the front window to avoid heatstroke.

When the child's car seat is placed in the back seat, covering the side windows with sunshades protects the child from direct sunlight and increases comfort in the back seat - a window sock is a handy way to protect the rear windows from the sun and UV rays.

Infant car seats often come with a sun canopy that you can pull down to protect your child inside the car as well—however, when the canopy is down, always ensure that the child has good airflow.

UV protection is also provided by sunglasses and a UV hat.

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Car temperature chart

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How quickly does the temperature inside a car rise in hot weather? 

Summer heat can be brutal. The temperature inside a parked car without air conditioning rises surprisingly high in a short amount of time, even in the temperatures of a Finnish summer.

Keep this chart in mind and remember to look after children, pets, and others when leaving your car parked in the summer—even a short moment can be significant.

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Help other parents keep their children safe this summer

Many parents may not be aware of how dangerous being in a hot car can be for a child, especially since the risk of heatstroke is not as high for us adults as it is for children.

If you want to help raise awareness among parents about the dangers of a hot car for children, you can share the temperature chart above on social media.

Thank you for helping to spread the word! With your help, even more children will travel safely this summer.

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Keep your child cool during car trips

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1. Remember UV protection for the car's rear windows: e.g. window socks cover the rear windows and also protect against insects when the window is open.
2. An airy and lightweight muslin cloth can be placed on the car seat handle on the window side as extra sun protection, but remember to ensure good ventilation for the car seat.
3. Moistened and chilled in the fridge, a muslin cloth offers relief in the heat - pack it in your cooler bag.
4. For extra cooling, use teethers that have been chilled in the fridge and keep them cool in the cooler bag with ice packs.
5. Bring along a food thermos or straw thermos bottle to keep drinks and snacks cool for longer - offer your child fluids during the trip and remember to stay hydrated yourself!
6. A light-colored summer cover for an infant car seat or toddler seat keeps the seat clean and cooler during summer heatwaves.
7. The Nuby Bladeless Fan is a safe, bladeless fan that is easy to attach to the backseat, stroller, or travel cot using its flexible tripod legs.
8. Remember to stop in a shady spot and take your child out into the fresh air as often as possible during the car ride.
9. E.g. a bath thermometer, or a baby monitor with a built-in thermometer, will help you check the temperature in the backseat quickly and easily.
10. Especially for longer car trips during a heatwave, it is worth considering driving in the evening, at night, or early in the morning when it is still cooler.
11. Plan your trip carefully to ensure there are plenty of stops along the way.

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Sources:

BeSafe - How to travel safely during summer with children | BeSafe