How to Ensure the Safety of Children Traveling in Private Cars?

How to Ensure the Safety of children Traveling in Private Cars?

During scorching summer days, it is not advisable to take children out for a ride in a private car. This is because when a small sedan is exposed to the scorching sun, the formaldehyde levels inside the car can quickly rise to two or three times the usual amount, posing a health hazard to children. Moreover, the intense heat inside the car during hot summer days can lead to heatstroke in children. Just fifteen minutes in a sealed car can cause damage to a child's brain and kidneys. Once the body temperature reaches 40°C, a child's organs will start to fail; at 41.6°C, death can occur rapidly. Recent media reports have highlighted tragic incidents of young children dying after being trapped inside private cars, all due to the carelessness and negligence of their parents. To prevent such dreadful events, there is a simple method to reduce the temperature inside the car: first, open the passenger-side window, then open and close the driver's door five times in succession. This process can lower the internal temperature by 8°C to 10°C. Afterward, turn on the air conditioning to cool down the car further. Only when the temperature inside the car drops to 32°C should you place your child inside.

Tests have shown that on sweltering days, if a car is left closed and parked in the sun for just 15 minutes, the temperature inside can reach 65°C. In such high-temperature conditions, small objects inside the car may pose significant safety hazards. Items like lighters, batteries, carbonated drinks, car perfumes, and air fresheners are prone to explode in high temperatures, requiring vigilance.

In addition, when the engine idles while the car is parked, a large amount of carbon monoxide exhaust is generated. This exhaust may gradually accumulate inside the car, and combined with the carbon dioxide exhaled by the occupants, the oxygen level within the vehicle can diminish over time, leading to unconsciousness and poisoning. Infants and young children are at significant risk of fatal consequences in such situations. Moreover, a tightly sealed car provides a conducive environment for the proliferation of harmful bacteria, which can then pose a threat to human health. Therefore, during winter when using the car's air conditioning for extended periods, it is best to leave a small gap in the windows to facilitate air circulation. However, on the other hand, when encountering traffic congestion, numerous vehicles moving at a slow pace continuously emit pollutants into the air, leading to severe air pollution in that area. In such cases, opening the car windows can expose children to a large amount of harmful gases. Hence, parents should pay attention to the following points when taking their children in private cars:

When getting in and out of the car, parents should proactively open the car doors for their children to prevent their hands from being caught. Children under the age of 12 should sit in the back seat. If a child sits in the front seat without wearing a seatbelt, sudden braking can result in severe injuries due to the lack of a buffer in the front seat during a sudden stop. Carrying children in one's arms while traveling is highly unsafe, especially when sitting in the passenger seat. Children should not play in the back seat while the car is in motion, as it is not safe to assume that being in the back seat alone guarantees safety. A responsible adult should always accompany them. Leaving a child alone in the car is extremely dangerous. With closed windows and locked doors, the child is exposed to stagnant and heavily polluted air, which can have adverse effects on their health. While driving, it is essential not to allow the child to lean on the driver's shoulder or stand beside the driver, as it can interfere with the driver's ability to operate the vehicle safely. Toys should not be placed inside the car, and drivers should avoid engaging in activities that distract them from driving, as this can lead to accidents.

Infants and young children should not ride in newly purchased private cars. Research has shown that newly manufactured sedans emit high levels of volatile organic compounds, with toxic gas concentrations reaching up to 64,000 micrograms/m3 during the first 3 to 10 weeks after leaving the factory. Although the concentration of these toxic gases decreases by 60% in the first month, it still exceeds the recommended safe concentration of 500 micrograms/m3 in Australia. After 4 months, the concentration of toxic gases remains significantly high, measuring 2,000 micrograms/m3, which is four times the recommended standard, posing ongoing concerns. These toxic gases include carcinogenic substances such as benzene, irritating substances like acetone, systemic toxins like toluene, and toxic agents that affect fetal development, such as xylene isomers. Exposure to these harmful volatile gases can cause discomfort, dizziness, fatigue, confusion, and inflammation of the eyes, ears, and nose, as well as headaches. Therefore, it is advisable for infants and young children to avoid riding in newly purchased private cars.

Furthermore, during scorching summer days, when traveling with children in a private car, it is essential to pay double attention to driving safety. Extensive research has linked 20% of major traffic accidents to fatigue driving. When embarking on a long family trip in a private car, it is best to have two drivers who can take turns. During the journey, it is crucial to take breaks every 2 to 3 hours, stretch the body, and maintain high levels of energy for safe driving.