Never leave children or pets in a hot car

ENGLISH

OKLAHOMA CITY – With temperatures expected to reach triple digits in some areas of the state this weekend, Attorney General Mike Hunter is reminding Oklahomans to never leave children or pets in unattended vehicles.

In 2019, it is estimated that 52 U.S. children died of heatstroke after being left in hot cars, and between 1990 and 2019, it is estimated that 25 Oklahoma children died. According to kidsandcars.org, an advocacy and education nonprofit organization, the figures are likely an undercount because there are no official data collection systems.

Hunter said a child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult’s, and they could die faster than adults may realize when left in a hot vehicle.

The temperature inside a car rises almost 20 degrees in 10 minutes, according to the NHTSA. When temperatures outside are in the 80s, the inside of a car can reach close to 125 degrees within 60 minutes according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Heatstroke begins when the core body temperature reaches 104 degrees.

In recent years, numerous companies have developed car seat alarms that remind parents about children being in the back seat. There are also several smartphone apps parents or guardians can download to help remind them about children and pets in the backseat.

Safety tips to remember if your child or pet is in the backseat:

Make it a habit to open the backdoor of your car every time you park, even if you know you do not have a child or pet in the backseat;

Keep a belonging like a cellphone, wallet or purse in the backseat so you will open the back door to get those items;

Keep a stuffed animal in the car seat when it’s not occupied. When the child is in the seat, place the stuffed animal in the front passenger seat as a visual reminder;

Always keep your vehicle locked so children cannot accidentally get trapped inside when the vehicle is not in use.