May 27, 2022: Heat Stroke Awareness Day

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.