As temperatures rise, safety officials are reminding parents, caregivers, and community members about the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a child’s body temperature can rise three to five times faster than an adult’s. Even on a mild day, temperatures inside a parked vehicle can quickly climb to dangerous levels, increasing the risk of heatstroke, permanent injury, or death.
Heatstroke begins when the body’s temperature reaches approximately 104 degrees Fahrenheit. A body temperature of 107 degrees can be fatal. Cracking a window does little to slow the heating process inside a vehicle.
Tragically, dozens of children die each year in the United States from heatstroke after being left in or gaining access to vehicles. These incidents can happen to anyone and often occur when routines change, distractions arise, or a child enters an unlocked vehicle unnoticed.
Safety experts recommend the following precautions:
• Never leave a child alone in a vehicle, even for a short period of time.
• Always check the back seat before locking and leaving your vehicle.
• Place a personal item such as a purse, briefcase, or cellphone in the back seat as a reminder.
• Keep vehicles locked when not in use and store keys out of children’s reach.
• Teach children that vehicles are not safe places to play.
• If you see a child alone in a vehicle and believe they may be in danger, call 911 immediately.
For more information about preventing hot car deaths and child heatstroke, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s child safety resources.
