Vehicular heatstroke occurs when a person's body temperature rises to a dangerous level because of excessive heat inside a vehicle. Young children are especially vulnerable because their bodies heat up faster than those of adults and they may be unable to escape or communicate that they are in danger.
A parked vehicle can become dangerously hot in a matter of minutes, even when the outside temperature seems relatively mild. Understanding how quickly temperatures rise, recognizing the signs of heatstroke, and taking precautions every time you leave a vehicle can help prevent these tragedies.
The temperature inside a parked vehicle can rise rapidly, even on a relatively mild day. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the temperature inside a vehicle can increase by approximately 20°F in just 10 minutes. On a 70°F day, the interior of a parked vehicle can eventually reach temperatures exceeding 110°F.
Cracking the windows does not prevent dangerous heat buildup, and parking in the shade does not make it safe to leave a child or pet inside. Heatstroke can develop quickly, and young children are particularly vulnerable because their bodies cannot regulate temperature as effectively as adults.
Warning Signs of Heatstroke
Heatstroke is a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when the body becomes dangerously overheated and can no longer regulate its temperature effectively. Without immediate treatment, heatstroke can cause permanent organ damage or death.
Warning signs of heatstroke may include:
- Very high body temperature
- Hot, flushed skin that may be dry or sweaty
- Rapid heartbeat
- Confusion, unusual behavior, or difficulty responding
- Dizziness, weakness, or loss of coordination
- Nausea or vomiting
- Seizures or loss of consciousness
If heatstroke is suspected, call 911 immediately. Move the person to a cooler environment and begin cooling them as quickly as possible while waiting for emergency responders. Remove excess clothing and use cool water, wet towels, or other available cooling methods.
Never wait for symptoms to become severe before taking action. A child trapped inside a hot vehicle may already be experiencing a medical emergency, even if the warning signs are not immediately obvious.
Hot Car Death Statistics
Hot car deaths continue to occur across the United States, and many involve situations that parents and caregivers never expected. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 1,000 children have died from vehicular heatstroke since 1998. On average, approximately 37 children die each year.
Research into these incidents has identified three primary circumstances that lead to children dying in hot vehicles:
- Forgotten by a caregiver (approximately 53%) – More than half of these deaths occur when a parent or caregiver unintentionally leaves a child in a vehicle. Changes in daily routines, distractions, and other factors can contribute to these tragedies.
- Children gaining access to unattended vehicles (approximately 24%) – Some children enter unlocked vehicles on their own while playing or exploring and become trapped inside.
- Knowingly left in a vehicle (approximately 22%) – Other deaths occur when a child is intentionally left in a parked vehicle, sometimes because the caregiver believes the child will be safe for a short period.
Children younger than two account for more than half of recorded pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths. However, children of all ages can be at risk.
These statistics highlight why prevention requires more than simply reminding parents not to leave children in hot cars. Caregivers should develop consistent habits for checking the back seat, keep unattended vehicles locked, and never assume that leaving a child alone for a few minutes is safe.
Preventing Vehicular Heatstroke
For parents and caregivers of young children, there are several tricks you can use to make sure the child you are transporting is never left in a hot car.
Always look inside the car before locking the doors and walking away. An easy way to remember is to practice Park, Look, Lock.
Place a briefcase, purse, or cell phone next to the child’s car seat so that you’ll always check the back seat before leaving the car. This works with anything you know you need to grab before walking away from the vehicle.
Keep a stuffed animal or other memento in your child’s car seat when it’s empty and then move it to the front seat as a visual reminder when your child is in the back seat.
Ask your childcare provider to call you if your child doesn’t arrive as scheduled.
If someone else is driving your child, or your daily routine has been altered, always check to make sure your child has arrived safely.
The second leading cause of child deaths in hot cars happens when children get into unattended vehicles and can’t, or don’t, get out in time.
Always lock your vehicle, the doors and the trunk, all the time, year-round. Keep car keys out of children’s reach.
Never let children play in an unattended vehicle. Teach them that a vehicle is not a play area. If a child goes missing, quickly check all the vehicles nearby, including the trunks.
While all types of vehicular heatstroke deaths are preventable, the third leading cause of these deaths, knowingly leaving a child in a parked car, is the most preventable.
Never leave a child alone in a car, even with the windows rolled down or the air conditioning on. Don’t take the chance! Younger children are more sensitive to heat than older children and adults and are at greater risk for heatstroke. A child can die when their body temperature reaches 107 degrees.
What to Do if You See a Child in a Hot Car
If you see a child alone in a parked vehicle, take the situation seriously, even if the child does not appear to be in distress. The temperature inside a vehicle can rise quickly, and a child may be in danger before showing obvious symptoms.
Call 911 immediately and provide the vehicle's location and any information you can about the child's condition. Follow the emergency dispatcher's instructions and remain at the scene until help arrives.
If the child is unresponsive or appears to be in immediate danger, emergency access to the vehicle may be necessary. Follow the dispatcher's instructions, and be aware that laws concerning emergency entry into vehicles vary by state.
Once the child is safely removed, move them to a cooler location and begin cooling measures if they show signs of overheating. Emergency medical personnel should evaluate a child suspected of experiencing heat-related illness.
Never assume that a child is safe because the windows are partially open, the vehicle is parked in the shade, or the caregiver is expected to return shortly.
Vehicular heatstroke can happen quickly, and every child left alone or trapped inside a parked vehicle is at risk, even when outdoor temperatures seem mild.
Never leave children or pets unattended in a vehicle, always check the back seat before locking the doors, and keep parked vehicles locked to prevent children from entering on their own.
If you discover a child alone in a hot vehicle, act immediately and call 911. Making these precautions part of everyday routines can help prevent tragic and unnecessary deaths.
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