SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- This stretch of summerlike weather is starting to heat up cars across Michiana, which could have life-threatening consequences.
“When we look at it, we look at it like it’s all bad, and we’re in our worst situation if we’re going out there”, says Andrew Meyer, Assistant Chief of EMS of the South Bend Fire Department
While Michiana has thankfully not seen a car related heat death in the past 5 years, Dr. Andrew Bertoncini, family physician at the South Bend Clinic, says it's important enough to remind people every summer.
“They're talking about 30, 30 kids in the United States in a year, 50 kids a year are dying from car-related heat deaths. So, it's not, it's common enough to pay attention to it.”
Of course, if someone is stuck in a hot car, EMS crews across Michiana are ready to respond, as Meyer says.
“Rapid removal of the victim from the heat source or the car or whatever, and rapid cooling and transport to the hospital...rapid cooling would be cool IV fluids. It would be ice packs and move them to a cooler, cooler environment.”
But what if one root of the problem was solved?
“So, I came up with the hot car initiative last year after seeing again, you know, in the springtime, in the summer, you see babies dying in hot cars, and I thought, how can we be impactful and try to solve this problem”
Ramal Taylor, founder of Bright Beginnings Family Child Care, introduced the Hot Car Initiative last year, where on days with highs over 75 degrees, parents can drop off their children and receive one hour of free childcare. The program did have some participants last year, but Taylor would love to see its reach expanded.
“I would absolutely love to push this, you know, farther than just Bright Beginnings, and get other providers. I did, I think, mention that last year. If anyone else, any other providers in the area, would love to join us to offer the Hot Car initiative at their location as well.”