May 01, 2026
WHEREAS, heat stroke can happen when the body overheats, usually because of exposure to high temperatures; and,
WHEREAS, more than 96% of heat stroke deaths in vehicles were among children ages 5 and under, and 72% were children ages 2 or younger; and,
WHEREAS, since 1998, there have been at least 1,041 deaths of children in vehicles from heat stroke in the United States, and 11 of these deaths occurred in Michigan; and,
WHEREAS, nationally, more than 52% of these deaths were instances where the child was forgotten by a caregiver, in 23% the child gained access to an unattended vehicle and in 21% children were knowingly left in the vehicle; and,
WHEREAS, studies show that death from heat stroke 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 adults and their body temperature warms at a rate three to five times faster; and,
WHEREAS, all these deaths are preventable; and,
WHEREAS, everyone is to be reminded that it is never safe to leave children alone in a vehicle, to always keep vehicles locked when they are not in use, to store keys away from children, and to call 9-1-1 immediately if they notice children unattended in a vehicle; and,
WHEREAS, Michigan law 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 that may cause risk of harm or injury; and,
WHEREAS, efforts are being made in Michigan to increase public awareness of the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles through community and health care-based programs and partners, including the Michigan State Police, the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and the community-based Safe Kids Coalitions in Michigan; and,
WHEREAS, these partners continue to educate and 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, 2026, as Heat Stroke Awareness and Prevention Day in Michigan.
