Solving the Problem - 8A

My opportunity is based on children’s safety and health. Leaving a child or pet unattended in a car on a hot day can lead to heatstroke or worse, death. As stated in my previous post, heatstroke is the leading cause of passenger vehicle non-crash related fatalities for children 14 and younger. The inside of a car heats up faster than the outside. According to CNN meteorologists, “On a pleasant 75-degree day (outside), the inside of your car can heat up to 90 degrees in just two minutes. Within 20 minutes, the inside temperature can rise to 104 degrees. After an hour, it can hit 120 degrees”.

My potential solution is a device that monitors your car with sensors, same way airbags senses weight, and notifies you if weight is detected after the car is turned off. It will send a notification to your phone reminding you to check your vehicle for passengers. In order for the notification to go away you must dismiss it, if not after a certain amount of time it will contact the local fire department. If it’s a false alarm you can dismiss the notification.

I think it is better to be safe as a parent then permanently sorry and regretful. I think if this device can prevent one case of heatstroke or worse than it is worth it. Living in areas like South Florida where temperatures year round are mid-80s is a great place to market this potential life-saving device.