During a height of greater heat, care should be redoubled. The temperature inside a car can rise which causes a great risk. In Almada, a baby died after being forgotten inside a daycare van.
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23/07/2026
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ANDthis thursday, an 18-month-old baby died after being forgotten inside a daycare van. Even on a day when the temperatures of a heat wave have not been recorded, the risks of leaving a child in a car alone are many.
The French newspaper Le Figaro left some warnings about this situation and revealed the reasons why you should never leave a child alone in a car even for five minutes.
The risks of leaving a child in the car
They explain that even on a milder day, when thermometers reach 20 degrees, the inside of a car can be at 45oC in less than half an hour. The risk to children turns out to be greater.
The bodies of the smallest have difficulty in regulating the temperature through perspiration. Water reserves are also lower and internal temperature may eventually rise three to five times faster than in the case of an adult. When they're alone in a car, they may not be able to show they're thirsty.
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Among the signs of sunstroke that a child may have in these cases are: red and warm skin, crying for no apparent reason, dilated pupils, accelerated pulse, vomiting or loss of consciousness.
Among some of the first aid to be provided, they go through undressing the victim, applying damp cloths to the body and gradually giving water. They warn that it is always necessary to consult a doctor to understand the real state of health.
The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department has also left some recommendations in this regard. “More than half of infant deaths due to sunstroke occur because parents and guardians are distracted and leave the vehicle without the child” they explain.
A few more warnings
“ The interior of the vehicles can heat up quickly, even on relatively fresh days, so never leave your child alone in a car. Don’t underestimate the risks and don’t leave him alone for a minute,” they continue.
In this way, also on days of higher heat and involving car trips, many liquids should be drunk, fresh clothes and sunscreen should be worn, rest so that the body has the ability to regulate the temperature and always be attentive to more vulnerable people, such as children, people over 65 years of age, people with obesity or sick people who take some medications.