Hot car safety: A reminder to keep children safe

According to the National Safety Council, an average of 37 children under the age of 15 die each year in the United States from heatstroke after being left in a vehicle. So far this year, ten children have lost their lives in these preventable tragedies.

As temperatures rise, the inside of a parked vehicle can reach dangerous temperatures within minutes, even if the windows are partially opened. Children are especially vulnerable to heat-related illness because their bodies overheat much faster than adults.

Simple habits and reminder systems can help prevent a child from being left unattended in a vehicle. By staying alert and making hot car safety part of our daily routine, we can help protect children and keep our communities safe.

• Look before You Lock: Always check the front and back seats before locking your vehicle
• Place a Personal Item in the Back Seat: Leave a purse, briefcase, phone or another essential item next to your child’s car seat as a reminder to check the seat before locking and walking away from your vehicle
• Keep Vehicles Locked: Always lock your vehicle when parked and keep keys and remote fobs out of children’s reach to prevent them from entering a vehicle on their own
• Create a Childcare Check-In Plan: Ask your childcare provider to contact you if your child does not arrive as expected
• Never Leave a Child Alone: Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle, even for a moment
• Act Immediately: If you see a child alone in a vehicle, call 911 immediately. Emergency responders can assess the situation and provide assistance as quickly as possible