WHEREAS, since 1998, there have been at least 906 deaths of children in vehicles from heat stroke in the United States. Ten of these deaths occurred in the state of Michigan; and,
WHEREAS, heat stroke may happen when the body overheats, usually because of exposure to high temperatures; and,
WHEREAS, most heat stroke deaths in vehicles were among children age five and under between 1998 and 2021, and nearly 75% of these deaths occurred for children age two or younger; and,
WHEREAS, an estimated 567,914 Michigan residents, or nearly 6% of the population, are under the age of five; and,
WHEREAS, over 52% of these deaths nationally were instances where the child was forgotten by a caregiver; and,
WHEREAS, over 25% of these deaths were instances of children gaining access to an unattended vehicle; and,
WHEREAS, over 20% of these deaths occurred when the child was intentionally left in a vehicle by an adult; and,
WHEREAS, studies show that these incidents can occur on days with relatively mild temperatures (i.e., 70 degrees Fahrenheit) and that the temperature in vehicles can become life-threatening very rapidly; and,
WHEREAS, children are less efficient at maintaining a consistent internal body temperature than adults, and their body temperatures warm at a rate three to five times faster than an adult’s; and,
WHEREAS, all these deaths are 100% preventable; and,
WHEREAS, Section 750.135a of Act 328 of the 1931 Michigan Penal Code prohibits a person who is responsible for the care or welfare of a child from leaving a child under the age of six unattended in a vehicle for a period of time which may risk harm or injury to the child; and,
WHEREAS, concerted efforts are being made in Michigan to increase public awareness of the dangers to children left in vehicles through community and health care-based programs and partners, including the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Michigan Department of State, Michigan State Police, the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning and the community-based Safe Kids Coalitions in Michigan; and,
WHEREAS, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Injury and Violence Prevention Section will continue to collect data to monitor incidents of vehicle-related heat stroke related deaths in children;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim May 27, 2022, as Heat Stroke Awareness Day in Michigan.