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Children, Heat & Cars
Never Leave Your Child Alone in a Vehicle   ​

Throughout the warmer months in the U.S., on average every week, a child under the age of two dies from being left alone in a car.  How does this happen? According to nationwide data collected by NoHeatStroke.org:

• 54% of the time the parent forgot the child was in the vehicle  (usually during a change of routine)
  
• 29% of the time, the child was playing in an unlocked and unattended vehicle then got locked in  
• 17% of the time the parent left the child in the vehicle for a moment, then forgot the child  

Take your child with you before locking your vehicle and never leave your child alone in the car, not even for a moment.

'Heatstroke Kills Children'
(National Highway Safety Administration)

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How do cars get hot?

Even on a mild day of 80 degrees outside, in only 10 minutes inside a vehicle can rise to 99 degrees, 20 minutes to 109, and 60 minutes to 123. The sun’s radiation heats objects inside the vehicle like the dashboard, steering wheel, child seat, etc. These hot objects then heat the air inside the vehicle.

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​A child's body temperature

The body of a baby can heat up 3-5 times faster than that of an adult. Heatstroke can happen when the core body temperature reaches 104 degrees, and internal organs begin to shut down. Once the body reaches 107 degrees, the person dies. Symptoms can progress to flushed dry skin and vomiting to seizures, organ failure and death. 

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Tips for keeping your baby safe in your car

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1. Leave Reminders

After you buckle your child up in their appropriate child safety restraint, leave reminders on the back floor next to your child, such as a briefcase, a purse or a cell phone (something needed at your final destination). This is especially important if you’re not following your normal routine such as a different parent taking the baby to day care. Also request that your day care provider or babysitter call you anytime the baby does not show up. This prevents forgetfulness during a change in routine.

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2. Take your Baby with You

​Never leave them alone in a motor vehicle, not even for a minute  
(in 19 states it is illegal to leave a child alone in a motor vehicle. See link to laws below). 
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3. Lock your Car

​Keep your car locked when you’re not in it so children are unable to climb in on their own.

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4. See a Child Alone, Safe a Child - call 911

​If you see a child alone in a motor vehicle, call 911. Emergency personnel want you to call. They are trained to respond to these situations. One call could save a life.

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State laws prohibiting leaving a child along in a motor vehicle 

• California (V C Section 15620)
  
• Connecticut (Sec 53-21a)
  
• Florida (FSS 316.6135)
  
• Hawaii (291C-121.5)
  
• Illinois (Sec. 12 21.6)
  
• Kentucky (507.040)
  
• Louisiana (RS 32:295.3)
  
• Maryland (5-801)
  
• Michigan (750.135a)
  
• Missouri (Sec 568.052)
  
• Nebraska (Revised 28-710)
  
• Nevada (202.575)
  
• Oklahoma (Unattended Children in Motor Vehicle Safety Act)
  
• Pennsylvania (3701.1)
  
• Rhode Island (11-9-21) Call State Police or Motor Vehicles
  
• Tennessee (55-10-803)
  
• Texas (Sec. 22.10)
  
• Utah (76-10-2202)
  
• Washington (RCW 46.61.685)

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Questions or Media Inquiries call 323-491-6197