Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle.
Prevent Child Heatstroke in Cars
Even great parents can forget a child in the back seat.
Unfortunately, heatstroke is one of the leading causes
of death among children. Be sure to follow these three
important rules to prevent child heatstroke in your car:
1. Never leave a child alone in a car
• It’s never OK to leave a child alone in a car, even for a few
minutes, and even if the car is on.
• Opening windows will not prevent heatstroke.
• Heatstroke happens even on cloudy days and in outside
temperatures below 70 degrees.
• Don’t let kids play in an unattended vehicle.
2. Look Before You Lock
• Always check the back seats of your vehicle before you lock it
and walk away.
• Keep a stuffed animal or other memento in your child’s car
seat when it’s empty, and move it to the front seat as a visual
reminder when your child is in the back seat.
• If someone else is driving your child, or your daily routine has
been altered, always check that your child arrived safely.
3. Take Action if You See a Child Alone in a Car
• Don’t wait more than a few minutes for the driver to return before
calling.
• Don’t worry about getting involved in someone else’s
business—protecting children is everyone’s business. “Good
Samaritan” laws offer legal protection for those who offer
assistance in an emergency.
• If you see a child alone in a hot vehicle, call the police. If they
are in distress due to heat, get them out as quickly as possible.
Cool the child rapidly. Call 911 or your local emergency number
immediately.
