Heatstroke Prevention: Never Leave a Child in a Car

Keeping children safe starts with awareness and simple daily habits. On hot days, the temperature inside a parked car can rise faster than most people realize—turning a vehicle into a dangerous environment for a child in just minutes. Heatstroke is preventable, and it begins with making safety a priority every time you drive.

By staying alert and building in reminders, you can help ensure no child is ever left behind. Whether it’s a change in routine or a moment of distraction, it only takes one oversight to put a child at risk. But with a few thoughtful practices, we can all play a role in preventing these tragedies.

If you see a child alone in a car, don’t wait—take action. Your quick response could save a life. Emergency responders are ready to help and would rather be called than arrive too late.

Remember the A-C-T rule:

  • Avoid heatstroke
    • Avoid heatstroke-related injury and death by never leaving a child alone in a car, not even for a minute. And make sure to keep your car locked when you’re not inside so kids don’t get in on their own. 
  • Create reminders
    • Keep a stuffed animal or other memento in your child’s car seat when it’s empty, and move it to the front seat as a visual reminder when your child is in the back seat. Or place and secure your phone, briefcase or purse in the backseat when traveling with your child.
  • Take action
    • If you see a child alone in a car, call 911. Emergency personnel want you to call. They are trained to respond to these situations.

Together, we can protect our children and prevent heatstroke deaths.