Leaving Children in Vehicles Can Be Deadly

As the summer months commence and temperatures rise, kids across the country are at risk for being left unattended in vehicles and suffering from heatstroke.

Temperatures inside vehicles can rise quickly, so any amount of time spent in a vehicle unattended could cause damage to anyone. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, temperatures inside a car can rise more than 20 degrees in only 10 minutes. Temperatures can reach 110 degrees inside the car.

“Because the consequences can be deadly, DPS urges parents and caregivers to always make sure children are accounted for and not left behind in a car,” DPS Director Steven McCraw said. He added that leaving the windows partially rolled down will not be enough to counter the oppressing heat.

To help prevent vehicular heatstroke deaths and injuries, DPS offers the following tips:

• Always check the back seats of your vehicle before walking away.
• Establish reminders that help ensure you remove children from the vehicle. For example: leave your bag, lunch or cell phone in the back seat with the child’s car seat. 
• Call 9-1-1 if you see a child alone in a car, and emergency personnel will instruct you what to do next.
• If a child goes missing, open the doors and trunks to every vehicle in the area. Many heatstroke deaths occur when a child accesses a parked car unnoticed. 
• Teach children not to play in vehicles and make sure to place the keys out of reach when not being used.

Pets are also susceptible to heatstroke if left alone in vehicles. For the safety of everyone, Look Before You Lock.