Being left in a hot car can be extremely dangerous for anyone, especially for children. Children can suffer from heatstroke and, in some cases, die after even just a few minutes in an enclosed vehicle. Here’s everything parents and caregivers need to know about preventing accidental heatstroke and death in children.
“It’s so important for any caregiver – parents, grandparents, siblings and babysitters – to know the dangers of leaving children in a hot vehicle, even just to run a quick errand,” says Dr. Fnu Pardeep, a pediatrician at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Providence Pediatrics.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 1,000 children have died from heatstroke after being left or trapped in a hot vehicle. These deaths can occur when children are forgotten in a hot car or enter an unlocked vehicle unsupervised during warm or hot weather.
Why a hot car is so dangerous for children
“It can be scary to think about as a parent or caregiver, but a child’s body can increase in temperature three to five times faster than an adult’s body,” says Pardeep.
If a child’s temperature reaches 104 degrees Fahrenheit, their major organs can begin to shut down. And if their temperature reaches 107 degrees, it can be deadly.
Leaving the window cracked or parking in the shade isn’t safe or a good solution. Vehicle temperatures can increase by 20 degrees in just 10 minutes. So, if it’s 85 degrees outside, the inside of a vehicle can reach 105 degrees in just 10 minutes.
And even if it’s not summertime-hot outside, there’s still a risk of heatstroke in children.
“If the outside temperature is 57 degrees or more, there’s a risk of a child developing heatstroke when left in a car,” says Pardeep.
How parents and caregivers can keep kids safe
“Tragically, forgetting a child in the backseat — particularly if they’re napping or not yet verbal — is a possibility for even the most loving, caring parents and caregivers,” says Pardeep. “It’s easy to get distracted or out of your normal routine.”
To avoid accidentally leaving a child in a vehicle, parents and caregivers should always:
- Remember the NHTSA’s motto, “Look before you lock.” Before leaving and locking the vehicle, check the back seat, front seat and trunk to ensure all children are out.
- Put your handbag, smartphone, wallet or briefcase in the backseat so you remember to check before you exit your vehicle.
- When getting out of the car, minimize distractions, like phone use, so you can be focused and present.
- Be extra alert when driving somewhere that's not part of your routine. It can be easier to forget a child in the car when you’re not on your usual route.
- Check with your babysitter or child’s caregiver to ensure they’ve arrived at their destination safely if they’ve driven your child somewhere.
- Keep fold-down rear seats upright to prevent your child from accessing the trunk while inside the car.
- Keep your car locked (even if you don’t have kids) and keys secured away from children so they don’t get into your vehicle when you’re not around.
- Talk to your child about car safety and remind them that it’s never safe to hide or play in a vehicle, especially in a trunk.
“One thing we always tell parents and caregivers is if their child is missing, first check the pool if there’s one nearby, then immediately check the car and trunk,” says Pardeep. “Doing so can save a life.”
What to do if you see an unattended child in a hot car
If you see a child unattended in a car and are concerned for their safety, call 911 right away. If the child is responsive, stay with them until help arrives and have someone else try to find the vehicle’s driver. If the child isn’t responsive, call 911, get the child out of the car and spray them with cool water to help decrease their body temperature until help arrives.
“By knowing the facts and taking safety measures to keep kids safe, we can all do our part to prevent hot car tragedies,” says Pardeep.
If you have questions about keeping your child safe and healthy this summer, talk to their pediatrician. Find a Levine Children’s pediatrician near you.
