May 1, 2023: Heat Stroke Awareness and Prevention Day

WHEREAS, since 1998, there have been at least 937 deaths of children in vehicles from heat stroke in the United States, and 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, 96% of heat stroke deaths in vehicles were among children age 5 and under, and 54% of these deaths occurred for children age 2 or younger; and,

WHEREAS, an estimated 545,979 Michiganders, or 5.5% of the population, are under the age of five; and,

WHEREAS, more than 52% of these deaths nationally were instances where the child was forgotten by a caregiver; and,

WHEREAS, more than 25% of these deaths were instances of children gaining access to an unattended vehicle; and, 

WHEREAS, more than 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 able to maintain a consistent internal body temperature as efficiently as an adult, and their body temperatures warm at a rate 3 to 5 times faster than an adult’s; and,

WHEREAS, all of these deaths are 100 percent preventable; and,

WHEREAS, everyone is reminded that it is never safe to leave children alone in a vehicle, to always keep vehicles locked when they are not in use, keep keys up and away from children, and to call 9-1-1 immediately if one notices children are unattended in a vehicle; and,

WHEREAS, the 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 6 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 on the dangers of children being left in vehicles through community and health care-based programs and partners, including the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, 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 deaths in children;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim May 1, 2023, as Heat Stroke Awareness and Prevention Day in Michigan.