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Michigan State Police gives tips on heatstroke awareness, child passenger safety

Michigan State Police gives tips on heatstroke awareness, child passenger safety
Posted at 12:29 PM, Jul 03, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-03 13:16:57-04

Michigan State Police is looking to give heatstroke awareness and child occupant safety reminders.

Heatstroke happens when a person's body temperature is over 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Symptoms include dizziness, disorientation, agitation, confusion, sluggishness, seizure, hot dry skin that is flushed but not sweaty, loss of consciousness, rapid heartbeat and hallucinations.

If you are suffering from symptoms of heat exposure, immediately get to a cool place and drink water to bring down body temperature.

However, children's thermoregulatory systems are not as efficient as adults and their body temperatures warm at a rate three to five times faster. 

"Never leave a child in a vehicle," MSP says. "The results can be devastating."

This is what happens in your car over an hours' time:

In 2017, the total number of U.S. heatstroke deaths of children left in cars was 43.

MSP wants to remind people that it is against the law to leave a child unattended in a vehicle under circumstances posing unreasonable risk of harm to the child.

Parents and caregivers are reminded to do the "look before you leave" routine while getting out of the car with a child or infant passenger.