Hot Cars Endanger the Lives of Children and Pets

Hot Cars Pose a Threat to Children and Pets Year Round

As the scorching summer heat continues to envelop Northern California, it is crucial to address a severe and potentially fatal consequence of hot weather: the danger of leaving young children and pets unattended in hot cars. Every year, tragic incidents occur where children are unknowingly left behind in sweltering vehicles, resulting in heatstroke and, in some cases, death. These heartbreaking incidents serve as a sobering reminder of the importance of awareness, vigilance, and preventive measures to protect our most vulnerable members of society.

Vehicular Heatstroke

Heatstroke can pose a danger throughout the year in certain regions. About 38 children lose their lives yearly due to vehicular heatstroke, as reported by KidsAndCars.org. Among children aged 14 and under, heatstroke is the primary cause of non-crash vehicle-related deaths. The organization reveals 36 hot car deaths in 2022 and eight fatalities in 2023. These incidents occur unintentionally in most instances, with children unknowingly left behind in vehicles.

According to NoHeatStroke.org, approximately 25% of hot car deaths in the past have occurred because children gained access to the vehicle by themselves. Parents and caregivers must remain highly vigilant about their children’s whereabouts, especially during busy summer activities. It is crucial to keep vehicles securely locked in garages or driveways and ensure that keys are out of reach for children.

Dangerous Vehicle Temperatures

Leaving a child unattended in a vehicle is never safe, regardless of whether the windows are slightly open or the vehicle is parked in the shade. The temperature inside a closed car can rapidly rise to dangerous levels, even on mild days.

According to Consumer Reports, the heat inside a sealed vehicle can become hazardous within an hour, posing severe health risks to young children or pets. Moreover, recent research highlights the unreliability of relying on shade alone to cool the vehicle’s cabin. In a study by Arizona State University and the University of California at San Diego School of Medicine, cabin air temperature and surface temperatures were evaluated in identical vehicles placed in the shade and direct sunlight. According to their findings, within a span of fewer than two hours, even in a shaded area, the core temperature of a 2-year-old child could escalate to a hazardous level of 104°F, posing a potentially life-threatening situation.

The risks of high temperatures are particularly heightened for young children, as their bodies heat up three to five times faster than adults, as outlined by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Additionally, young children, especially infants, struggle to efficiently regulate their body temperature and are more prone to dehydration than adults.

Consumer Reports Test Findings