As parents and caregivers, the safety of our children is always a top priority. One of the most critical concerns, especially during warm months, is protecting them from the dangers of heat stroke while inside vehicles. Unfortunately, even with the best intentions, pediatric vehicular heatstroke incidents still occur. At GoodBuy Gear, we’re dedicated to helping families keep their children safe, and understanding how to prevent heat stroke in vehicles is a key part of that mission.
Why Heat Stroke Is a Serious Risk
A hot car can quickly become a dangerous environment for children, even on mild or cloudy days. Temperature rises quickly inside a parked car — within 10 minutes, the inside temperature can increase by nearly 20 degrees, even with windows cracked open. This creates an extreme risk for heat stroke in children, especially since a child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than adults.
Tragically, the risk of leaving kids in hot cars can result in severe injury or death in just minutes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an average of 38 children die each year in the U.S. from vehicular heat stroke. While public awareness has grown, these preventable hot car deaths still happen far too often.
How to Prevent Heat Stroke in Children
1. Never Leave a Child Alone in a Vehicle
Even if you’re running a quick errand, it’s critical that childcare providers never leave young children unattended in a car, regardless of the weather. It only takes a few minutes for the temperature to rise to dangerous levels. Always take your child with you, even if it seems like an inconvenience.
2. Use Technology or Create Reminders
In our busy lives, it’s easy to get distracted. Luckily, there are many modern tools designed to improve child passenger safety. Several car seats and vehicles are now equipped with technology that alerts you if a child is still in the back seat when the car is turned off. If your car or car seat doesn’t have this feature, set up reminders on your phone, or place essential items like a purse, phone, or briefcase in the back seat with your child. These actions can help ensure you always look before you lock your car so your little one if never left behind.
3. Speak Up
If you ever see a child left alone in a vehicle, call 911 immediately. Taking action could save a life, as time is of the essence in preventing child heatstroke.
Warning Signs of Heat Stroke
It’s important to recognize the signs of heat stroke so you can act quickly if you suspect it. Look for these symptoms:
- Red, hot, and moist or dry skin
- Lack of sweating
- Rapid pulse or weak pulse
- Nausea or vomiting
- Confusion or dizziness
- Unconsciousness
If you notice any of these signs, move your child to a cooler place and apply cool cloths or use water to lower their body temperature.
Heat Stroke Resources
Staying informed and connected to reliable resources is essential for building car safety knowledge and preventing heatstroke deaths. Here are some trusted organizations to keep in your digital toolkit to stay proactive:
NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration): Visit nhtsa.gov for a wealth of resources, including safety tips, infographics, and updates on child passenger safety technology. The NHTSA plays a key role in educating the public about vehicular heat stroke prevention and enforcing child safety regulations.
National Safety Council: The National Safety Council provides comprehensive resources on heat stroke prevention and child safety, including factsheets, videos, and guidelines to help parents and caregivers. Their campaigns, such as "Check to Protect," highlight the importance of regularly inspecting your car for safety risks.
NoHeatStroke.org: NoHeatStroke.org offers a detailed breakdown of heat stroke statistics, educational tools, and awareness campaigns to prevent hot car deaths. The site is a valuable resource for understanding the scope of the problem and learning actionable steps to protect children.
Safe Kids Worldwide: Safe Kids Worldwide is a global organization dedicated to preventing injuries in children. Their car safety section includes critical information on heat stroke, car seat safety, and preventing injuries in and around vehicles. They also offer downloadable materials and guides for parents.
Webinars and Educational Content
Many organizations, including the NHTSA and National Safety Council, host webinars throughout the year. These online sessions feature experts discussing best practices, new technologies, and strategies for preventing heat stroke. Check their websites for upcoming events and recordings of past webinars.
National Heatstroke Prevention Day
May 1 is National Heatstroke Prevention Day—an annual, nationwide awareness event dedicated to promoting actions that prevent vehicular heat stroke in children. This day brings together organizations, experts, and communities to spread the word through social media posts, educational events, and other initiatives.
Heat stroke tragedies are preventable with the right precautions and tools in place. Stay vigilant, use the available technology, and always check the back seat before locking your car. By working together, we can prevent these tragic incidents and keep our children safe.
For more tips on child passenger safety, visit our website.
