The Heat is on — Safety Tip

According to the National Weather Service, heat is the number one weather-related killer in the United States, and it results in hundreds of deaths each year. Surprisingly, excessive heat claims more lives on average each year than other seemingly more sinister weather events such as floods, lightning, tornadoes, and hurricanes combined.

Children, Parked Cars, and Warm Temps—a Bad Mix

Leaving children alone in parked vehicles is never a good idea, but it’s especially dangerous on warm days. Dozens of children die each year after being left unattended in vehicles, sometimes even when they are left for just a short amount of time. The temperature inside a vehicle—even on a day that’s just 80 degrees—can quickly rise to levels well over 120 degrees, leading to heat stroke once the child’s body can’t cool itself down.

Safe Kids, U.S.A. recommends that you never leave your child alone in a parked car—even for a minute. Always lock unattended vehicle doors and trunks and call 911 immediately if you see a child left unattended in a vehicle.