Hot Car Deaths: Important Facts and Prevention Tips

iStock

Heatstroke kills dozens of children in cars each year. But with the right information and prevention tips, you can help keep them safe. How much do you know about the dangers of hot cars and hot car deaths? Test your knowledge and explore tips that will help keep children out of harm’s way.

Hot Car Deaths: Prevention Tips for Drivers

• Set an alarm on your phone to go off when you typically arrive at work. This will remind you to check the back seat.
• Leave your purse, phone or diaper bag in the back seat as a visual cue to check for your child before exiting.
• Keep a stuffed animal in your child’s car seat. When the child is with you, move it to the front seat as a reminder that your child is in the back.
• Arrange for your day care or school to check in with you if your child doesn’t show up as expected.
• Place a reminder sticker on your windshield, dashboard or driver’s side window—wherever you’ll notice it.
• Remove your kids from the car first and then get everything else out.

Tips for Keeping Kids Out of Unattended Cars

The second leading cause of hot car deaths is children getting into unattended vehicles, according to the NHTSA.

• Always lock your car doors and trunk.
• Teach children that a vehicle isn’t a play area (and don’t let them play inside an unattended car).
• Keep your car keys out of a child’s reach.
• If a child is missing, check all vehicles, including their trunks.

We have other quizzes about cars and safety. Learn more about drunken driving, using your horn and aggressive driving.