Every summer brings reminders of one of the most preventable dangers in parking: a child or pet left inside a hot vehicle. It can happen to loving, attentive people, often because of a change in routine or a moment of distraction. Understanding how quickly cars heat up and building a few habits can help make sure it never happens to you.
How a parked car heats up
A car acts like a greenhouse. Sunlight passes through the windows and warms the dashboard, seats and steering wheel, which then release heat into the closed space. The inside of a car can become much hotter than the outside air, and the temperature rises fastest in the first few minutes after you park. Cracking a window does little to slow it down.
A car can become dangerously hot even on days that feel only warm, and even in partial shade. There is no safe amount of time to leave a child or animal inside.
Why children and pets are especially at risk
Young children’s bodies heat up faster than adults’ and they cannot open doors or call for help. Dogs and cats cool themselves mainly by panting, which does not work well in hot, still air. Both can suffer heatstroke quickly. If you have concerns about heat illness in a child or pet, talk to a doctor or veterinarian.
Habits that help
- Put something you need, like your phone, bag or work badge, in the back seat next to a child
- Place a stuffed animal in the car seat when it is empty and move it to the front seat when your child is in it, as a visual reminder
- Look in the back seat every time you lock the car
- Ask your child care provider to call you if your child does not arrive as expected
- Lock your car at home and keep keys out of reach, so children cannot climb in to play
- Leave pets at home on hot days unless every stop allows them inside
Quick errands are not an exception. A quick stop often takes longer than planned. A line at a register, a phone call or a conversation in the parking lot can stretch minutes into much longer. Running the engine with the air conditioning on is not a reliable solution either. Take children and pets with you or make the trip another time.
If you see a child or pet alone in a hot car
Call 911 right away and follow the dispatcher’s instructions. Note the car’s description and location. Laws about intervening differ by state, so let emergency responders guide you. If you are in a store parking lot, ask staff to page the owner while you wait with the vehicle.
Making it a habit
The best protection is a routine you follow every single time, especially on busy, distracted days. Look before you lock. It takes only a second, and it is one of the most important things any driver can do in summer.
Building a Look-Before-You-Lock Routine That Sticks
Good intentions are not enough on the days that matter most. Those are usually the days when routine changes: a different parent does the drop-off, a child falls asleep quietly, a work emergency fills your head, or you are traveling somewhere unfamiliar. A reliable habit has to work on autopilot, so it helps to tie it to something you already do.
- Pair the check with turning off the engine. Every time the engine goes off, turn and look at the back seat before you touch the door handle.
- Open the rear door every time. Make it part of your routine to open the back door after you park, even when you are alone. Doing it daily means you will do it on the day it counts.
- Use a phone reminder for schedule changes. On days when you are handling drop-off unexpectedly, set an alarm for a few minutes after you expect to arrive at child care.
- Talk about it as a family. Make sure every caregiver, including grandparents and sitters, follows the same routine.
Keeping kids out of parked cars at home
Not every hot-car danger involves a trip. Children sometimes climb into unlocked cars in a driveway or garage to play and cannot get out. Keep cars locked at home, store keys and remote fobs out of reach, and teach children that cars are not play areas. If a child goes missing, check the inside of every vehicle, including the trunk, right away.
Pets and Summer Errands: Practical Alternatives
Many pet owners love bringing a dog along. In summer, the kindest choice is often to plan trips around the animal rather than the other way around.
- Run errands that require leaving the car during cooler parts of the day, and leave the pet at home.
- Choose businesses that welcome pets inside, and confirm before you go.
- Bring a second person who can stay with the dog outside in the shade, with water, rather than inside the car.
- Use curbside pickup or delivery so no one has to leave the vehicle.
Questions Parents and Pet Owners Ask
Is it safe if I leave the engine and air conditioning running?
No. Engines can stall, air conditioners can switch off or blow warm air, and a child can shift the car into gear or get tangled in a seat belt. A running car is also an easy target for theft. Take children and pets with you.
What are the warning signs of heat illness?
In children, heavy sweating or hot, dry skin, flushed cheeks, confusion, unusual sleepiness or vomiting can be signs. In dogs, heavy panting, drooling, weakness and collapse are concerning. Any of these after heat exposure is a reason to call 911 or contact a doctor or veterinarian right away.
Does a cloudy day make it safe?
No. Cars still heat up on overcast days, and a few minutes can be enough. The only safe amount of time is none.
What about cooler months?
The risk is greatest in warm weather, but cars can heat up on mild, sunny days in spring and fall too. Keep the habit year-round so it never depends on the forecast.
What should I teach older children?
Older kids can learn to honk the horn or turn on the hazard lights if they are ever stuck in a car, and to never play in or around parked vehicles. These lessons do not replace adult supervision, but they give children a way to call attention if something goes wrong.
A single glance into the back seat costs nothing. Make it automatic for everyone who drives your family.
