DPS: Leaving Children in Vehicles Can Be Deadly

Summer temperatures increase risk of vehicular heatstroke

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is warning residents that warmer weather places children at greater risk of injury or death if left unattended in a vehicle. Every year children die from heatstroke after being left in a vehicle or entering a vehicle unnoticed. Such negligence could lead to criminal charges. A child should never be left unattended in a vehicle.

"Tragically, children needlessly die every year because they are left unattended in vehicles," said DPS Director Steven McCraw. "Members of the public can do their part to keep kids safe by notifying emergency personnel if they witness a child alone or in distress inside a vehicle – regardless of the weather. Parents and caregivers should be aware of the dangers."

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, temperatures inside a car can rise more than 20 degrees in only 10 minutes; and even with an outside temperature of 60 degrees, the temperature inside a car can reach 110 degrees. Leaving windows partially rolled down does not help. In addition, young children are particularly at risk since their bodies heat up faster than an adult.

DPS offers the following tips for preventing vehicular heatstroke deaths and injuries:

• Teach children not to play in vehicles and make sure to place the keys out of reach when not being used.
• Always check the back seats or cargo areas of your vehicle before walking away.
• Establish reminders that help ensure you remove children from the vehicle. For example: leave your bag, lunch or cell phone in the back seat with the child's car seat.
• Call 9-1-1 if you see a child alone in a car, and emergency personnel will provide guidance.
• If a child goes missing, open the doors and trunks to every vehicle in the area. Many heatstroke deaths occur when a child accesses a parked car unnoticed.

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Serviceslink also provides related information.

Additionally, don't forget pet safetylink. Animals are also susceptible to heat-related injury or death – don't put your pets in these dangerous conditions.