Israeli Pediatric ICU Chief Warns of Deadly Risks from Children Locked in Cars

Dr. Uri Polak, head of pediatric intensive care at Hadassah Medical Center, highlighted the severe dangers and tragic outcomes of children being locked inside vehicles in Israel. Between 2021 and 2025, 23 children died after being left in cars, 53 were injured but survived, and approximately 1,500 were rescued unharmed due to short confinement times. Dr. Polak emphasized that unlike other accidents, these incidents are entirely preventable.

He explained that the severity of harm depends on how long the child remains locked inside and the temperature inside the vehicle, which can rise 20 to 25 degrees Celsius above the outside temperature. Even on mild days, car interiors can reach life-threatening temperatures of 45 to 50 degrees Celsius, and on hotter days, temperatures can soar up to 70 degrees Celsius. Heat rises rapidly, often reaching dangerous levels within 30 minutes.

Children brought to intensive care after brief confinement typically show dehydration and require fluids, monitoring, and cooling. Longer exposure leads to multi-organ damage, including severe dehydration, low blood pressure, high fever above 40 degrees Celsius, shock, and potentially death. Treatment ranges from supportive care and cooling to advanced interventions like dialysis and ECMO to sustain vital functions.

Dr. Polak noted that some children suffer long-term neurological and developmental damage requiring years of ongoing care. Hospitals are prepared with trauma teams and advanced equipment to treat heatstroke victims promptly. He attributed these incidents primarily to parental distraction amid busy, multitasking lifestyles, often forgetting a sleeping child in the car.

While various technologies exist to prevent such tragedies, Dr. Polak stressed that awareness, behavioral change, and parental education remain the most effective solutions to prevent children from being left in vehicles.