It's a mistake people make far too often-- leaving a child behind in a hot car.
More than 36 children die in overheated cars every year, according to noheatstroke.org. So far in 2018, there’s been 21 deaths.
The numbers are eye opening.
Since 1998, heatstroke killed more than 700 kids left alone in a hot car. Outside of crashes, heatstroke is the number one vehicle-related killer of children in the United States. Pets are also at risk.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has a summer-long safety campaign called “Where’s Baby, Look Before You Lock”, raising awareness and warning folks about hot car deaths among children. The federal agency has released ads to educate the public and promote mindfulness. The ads will run through August 19.
"In almost no time temperatures inside a vehicle can reach deadly levels, which creates a dangerous situation for children who are in a car unsupervised,” said Deputy Administrator Heidi King in a press release about the safety campaign. “Parents and caregivers are the first line of defense for preventing these tragedies—but everyone in the community has a role to play.”
Experts say, if a child or pet in a car is left in a hot car, you have to act fast. Because in minutes, the car can reach deadly temperatures. At 85 degrees, if someone left a child or pet in the car for just 10 minutes, the temperature can heat up 19 degrees. That means the car temperature can increase 2 degrees per minute.
It’s also important to note that children heat up three to five times faster than adults. Also, a heatstroke doesn’t have to always occur when it’s hot and sunny. It can also happen with the windows down in sub-60 degree weather.
“Whether you park in the sun or whether you park in the shade, you really want to make sure you do not leave your child or your pet in that vehicle,” said Nancy Selover - Arizona State Climatologist:
Across the country, children die in hot cars the most in July. So, what can you do, if you see a child or pet in need of some help?
Under state law, you'll get legal cover if you feel a child or a pet in a hot, locked car is in imminent danger. So, let's say you busted the window to get child or pet out, as long as you called 911, you won't be held liable for the damage.
For more information, click here to view a safety checklist by the NHTSA and see what you can do to keep your child or pet safe.