Autumn may bring cooler weather, but parents and caregivers must stay alert to the dangers of leaving children in cars. Even in mild conditions, parked vehicles can quickly reach dangerous temperatures, putting young kids at risk of heatstroke or even death.
“Hot cars can still kill children and infants,” warns Michelle Parker, Safe Kids coordinator at Loma Linda Children’s Hospital in California.
The ongoing stress of juggling remote work and childcare can increase the risk of these tragedies. A curious toddler might wander into an unlocked vehicle, become trapped, and be unable to escape. To prevent such accidents, safety advocates urge parents to always lock car doors and keep keys out of reach.
Most hot car deaths occur when a child is unintentionally left behind or gains access to a vehicle. Always check the back seat, and use reminders like placing a stuffed animal in the front seat or a diaper bag in the back to ensure no child is left behind. It’s also essential to teach older children the dangers of playing in cars.
Even on a cool day, the temperature inside a car can rise to dangerous levels in minutes, causing a child’s body temperature to spike much faster than an adult’s. If you see a child left unattended in a vehicle, act immediately by calling 911.
Remember: Fall or not, cars can still be deadly. Practice hot car safety every time you park.
Hot Car Death Statistics
Children dying from heatstroke after being left in a hot car happens far too often. Tragically, these are all preventable deaths. The statistics are concerning:
- The temperature inside a car can reach 110 degrees even when the outside temperature is as low as 57 degrees.
- A car can heat up by 20 degrees within 10 minutes.
- Nearly 75 percent of children who die from heatstroke in a car are forgotten and most are under 2 years old.
- In 46 percent of hot car death cases, the caregiver intended to drop the child off at daycare or preschool.
- Babies are most at risk, making up 32 percent of heatstroke deaths.
- A baby’s body temperature increases three to five times faster than an adult’s, which makes them particularly vulnerable in a hot car.
Car Heatstroke in the Fall
Cooler weather is no time to relax when trying to keep your child safe in a car, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). Even on mild or cloudy days, temperatures inside cars can reach life-threatening levels.
Leaving windows slightly open doesn’t help. Children should never be left unattended or be able to get inside a vehicle.
Three primary circumstances resulting in the deaths of children in hot cars are:
- A caregiver forgetting a child in a vehicle
- The child gaining access to the car without the caregiver’s knowledge
- Someone knowingly leaving a child in the vehicle
How to Prevent Deaths in Hot Cars
According to the NHTSA, children’s bodies heat up three to five times faster than adults, making them more vulnerable to heat stroke and even death in a hot environment. A parked car can turn deadly within minutes, and this can happen even on a mild day.
If the outside temperature is 70°F, the temperature inside a car can easily reach over 100°F in just 20 minutes. On a hotter day, temperatures can soar to dangerous levels much faster.
Practice Hot Car Safety Year-Round
It’s a common misconception that hot car safety is only a concern during the summer months. Hot car safety should be practiced year-round, as even cooler temperatures outside can turn deadly inside a closed vehicle. Never leave a child unattended in a car, even for a short time. Use these simple strategies to reduce the risk:
- Create Reminders: Place a stuffed animal or a diaper bag in the front seat as a visual cue that a child is in the back seat. You can also leave an essential item, like your cell phone or purse, in the back seat to ensure you always check the back before leaving the car.
- Use Technology: Many newer vehicles have alerts if a passenger’s seat or back seat is occupied when the car is turned off. If your car doesn’t have this feature, consider using a third-party device to remind you.
- Establish a Routine: Caregivers and childcare providers should develop a communication plan to confirm when the child arrives safely at daycare or school. This reduces the risk of a caregiver forgetting a child in the car.
Preventing Access to Parked Vehicles
Keep car doors locked and keys out of reach to prevent a child from gaining access to a parked car. Make it a habit to always lock the doors immediately after parking and never leave a child alone in or around vehicles, even in your own driveway. Ensure your garage and driveway are secure so kids can’t wander inside a vehicle unnoticed.
Teach Children About Car Safety
Talk to your children about the dangers of playing in cars and how quickly heat can build up. Teach them to never play in or around parked vehicles and encourage them to immediately tell an adult if they see a pet or person trapped inside a car.
Don’t Forget About Pets
Pets can also suffer from heat stroke and excessive heat in a car. Even a few minutes in a hot car can put a pet at risk of death. Never leave a pet in a parked car, even if you’re just running a quick errand.
Take Action When You See a Child or Pet in Distress
If you see a child or pet alone in a hot car, act immediately. Call 911, and if the child or pet appears in danger, attempt to remove them from the vehicle. Quick action can mean the difference between life and death.
Spread Awareness to Prevent Tragedies
By understanding the risks and spreading awareness, we can work together to prevent hot car deaths. Every parent, caregiver, and community member plays a role in ensuring that these tragedies don’t continue. Remember: It only takes one mistake, one forgotten moment, for a child to die in a hot car. Let’s keep our kids and pets safe by practicing hot car safety year-round.
Learn More with THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys Today
If your child was left in a hot car, you could have a civil claim for compensation against the responsible party. Contact a Las Vegas wrongful death lawyer at THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys today. Our compassionate legal team can help you understand your legal options in a free, private consultation.
We know that nothing can replace what is lost when a child dies. But when someone else, such as a daycare or business, is responsible for those injuries, they should pay for the tragedy they caused. Let us help you hold the at-fault parties accountable and protect other children like yours.
Call or contact us today for a free case review.
THE702FIRM is a personal injury law firm in Las Vegas, Nevada. They represent the victims of personal injuries resulting from motor vehicle accidents, slip & fall, and more. If you know someone who suffered a serious accident, contact the 702 lawyers today for a free consultation.
