It might feel like a mild day outside, just 75 degrees, but the inside of a parked car can heat up quickly. In as little as 30 minutes, the temperature can reach 109°F, creating a dangerous oven-like environment for a child.
No child can withstand this kind of heat.
Most hot car tragedies happen not because of neglect. They occur when a parent or caregiver forgets a child is in the back seat. A change in routine, a distraction, or a simple moment of forgetfulness can lead to heartbreaking consequences. These incidents are more common than you might think. On average, one child dies every nine days in the U.S. due to heatstroke in cars.
Simple Habits Can Save Lives
Never leave a child alone in a vehicle, not even for a minute. Always check the back seat before you lock and walk away. To help build this habit, place a personal item you can’t leave without, like your phone, purse, or even a shoe, in the back seat next to your child.
Make sure to lock your car every time you park, even in your own driveway. Nearly one in four hot car deaths happen when a child climbs into an unlocked car and becomes trapped. If you ever see a child alone in a vehicle, call 911 right away. It could save a life.
The Facts You Need to Know
- Over 1,050 children have died in hot cars in the U.S. since 1990
- The average is 38 child deaths per year
- More than 88% of victims are under age 3
- 55% of deaths happen because a caregiver unknowingly left the child behind
- 25% of children entered the vehicle on their own and became trapped
- Heatstroke can begin when a child’s body reaches 104°F
- A temperature of 107°F or higher can be fatal
Even with the windows cracked, the inside of a car can become deadly in minutes. Parking in the shade does little to slow the rise. Most of the temperature increase happens within the first 10 to 20 minutes. Children’s bodies heat up three to five times faster than adults'.
>>Related: Your family's summer safety toolkit
Look Before You Lock, Every Time
Hot car deaths are completely preventable. They happen to people from all walks of life, and they happen fast. Take action. Build safe habits. Share the message.
Your car can become deadly in minutes. Look before you lock.
For more information and resources, check out these websites: