Summer Car Safety

Moving or parked, cars pose a constant threat to children. During the summer months, the interior temperature of a car can reach fatal levels within a few minutes. Keep your kids safe with these must-know tips.

The Grim Statistics

In 2003 alone, 42 children died of heat stroke because they had been left inside a vehicle. In July and August 2003, 22 children tragically died after being trapped in car trunks. Leaving children unattended in or around vehicles is a serious problem. More than one thousand cases involving injury or death have been documented so far. Those injuries and deaths were caused by heat stroke, a vehicle being put in motion by a child, children being hit by vehicles backing up, children choking while alone in a car, being kidnapped, toxic fumes, activation of automatic power controls, or being trapped in car trunks. Children should never be left unattended in or around vehicles.
(Source: Kids ‘N Cars, 2004.)

When it’s hot outside the temperature in a car interior can reach dangerous and sometimes fatal levels in a matter of minutes. Young children – especially infants – are more sensitive to variations in temperature than adults and are the most vulnerable to quick temperature changes.