NHTSA to Investigate Seat Heater Burns
By Rachel Smith
Mar 15, 2011
Heated seats are a handy feature, especially if you’re facing a Snowpocalypse. However, that nice toasty feeling can go too far.
There are reports that some people have suffered severe burns from heated seats.
On February 22, USA Today reported, “Burn treatment doctors and safety advocates plan to ask federal regulators and automakers today to address the safety of car seat heaters, which they say have severely burned dozens of paralyzed and otherwise disabled drivers and passengers.” USA Today has used an update, stating that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is now investigating the issue.
Left Lane News explains the complications. “Those most commonly burned by the feature tend to be those suffering from some form of sensory loss, such as those suffering from partial paralysis, as they are unable to feel the extreme heat and do not realize the need to disable the seat warmers.”
Autoblog adds that “doctors have petitioned the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers to disconnect the feature on vehicles owned by those with the sensory issues.”
Because NHTSA had not opened a fuel investigation prior to Sean Kane and burn specialist David Greenhalgh’s request, the only reported incidents come from sources outside NHTSA. Greenhalgh co-authored a study in 2003 about a patient he treated who received third-degree burns from a heater that reached 120 degrees. According to USA Today, NHTSA will keep these incidents in mind, but open its own investigation and decide if it should take further action.
While there was an incident with a Chevrolet Silverado, no particular vehicles have been targeted as safety hazards. General Motors, however, began putting warnings in vehicle manuals in 2010.
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