DOHA: A child trapped in a vehicle parked in direct sunlight is at a risk of developing life-threatening symptoms in 10 to 20 minutes, says an expert.
Although not a common occurrence in Qatar, leaving children unattended in cars and buses parked under direct sunlight can cause tragic and preventable deaths, according to Dr Khalid Abdulnoor Saifeldeen, Chairman, Kulluna for Health and Safety campaign, and Director, Hamad International Training Centre.
As part of the ongoing ‘Beat the Heat’ campaign, Kulluna has urged the public to take precautions to stay safe from the heat and be alert over the rising temperatures.
Every year, the Emergency Department sees cases of heat strokes and dehydration caused by high summer temperatures.
Children in particular are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses as their bodies do not get rid of the heat as adults do, so there is a risk of heat cramps, exhaustion and in extreme cases, heat strokes.
Dr Saifeldeen said, “The aim of the campaign is to provide people with information and tools to keep them safe from the heat. Leaving children in cars in such high temperatures can lead to serious complications.
“Lack of ventilation in a closed car can cause the temperature inside and of the child to rise very sharply. For example, if the outside temperature is 33.9 degrees Celsius, the temperature inside a car can build up to 51.7 degrees within 20 minutes,” he added.
For people working outdoors, staying hydrated and taking breaks from being in direct sunlight is very important to prevent heat strokes.
Kulluna is creating awareness about heat-related illnesses among workers by visiting construction sites and giving away leaflets in Arabic, English, Hindi, Malayalam, and Nepalese to allow workers to revisit the information at their convenience and share it with friends and colleagues.
Other items such as bottles of cold water and fruits are also being distributed to workers.
The Peninsula
