As the temperatures rise in the summer months, it’s important to remember the danger that can cause to someone left inside a vehicle in the summer sun.

Since 1998, over 900 children have died from heat related issues after being left unattended in a hot vehicle. That averages to 38 children per year with a record number of 53 dying in 2018 and 2019.

Deaths declined by over 50% the following two years with 25 in 2020 and 23 in 2021, and so far, two children have died in hot cars in 2022. While the trend is going down, just one heat related death is too many.

So, what happens inside the vehicle on those hot summer days?

• As the temperature outside rises, the temperature inside the vehicle rises faster and higher than the air temperature
• If left in a vehicle for over ten minutes, the temperatures inside can be above 100 degrees when the temperature outside is only 85 degrees
• If the temperature outside is 90 degrees, it can take as little as five minutes for the inside of a car to be at 100 degrees or higher.

A common misconception is that by cracking the window or opening the sun/moon roof the car will stay cooler. While that does make a minor difference, it’s only a difference when the car has been sitting there for a small amount of time (less than 10 minutes) or when the temperature is less than 90 degrees.

For example, if the temperature outside is 92 degrees, the temperature inside a vehicle with all windows closed will be at 110 degrees in just 5 minutes and be up to 121 degrees in 15 minutes. If all the windows are cracked, that same car would still have an interior temperature of 100 degrees in 5 minutes and at 15 minutes it would be as warm as 111 degrees.

So the next time you’re out with your child on a hot summer day and you need to stop, make sure to remember the following:

• Look before you lock
• Never leave a child or pet unattended for any amount of time
• Lock your car when you’re not in it because your child may be able to get in the parked car and may not know how to get back out if left unattended.

For more tips, check out the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website here.