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Hot Cars & Kid Safety

WakeMed Health & Hospitals Childrens/Family

The Adult Emergency Department at WakeMed Raleigh Campus has not yet seen a big spike in heat-related illnesses and emergency visits. There may be an increase following a longer stretch of extremely high temperatures.

Most often, people heed warnings and stay inside when North Carolina’s humid, summer temperatures first hit.  But as these temperatures settle in to stay a while, people may not be able to be as cautious in avoiding extended exposure in the heat as they go about their day and daily routines.

Kids & Hot Cars

  • The temperatures inside a car can rise 20 degrees in as little as 10 minutes.
  • A child’s body heats up three to five times faster than an adult’s, making them more susceptible to heatstroke.

4 Ways to Keep Kids Safe from Heat Stroke

Remember to ACT

  • A: Avoid heat stroke-related injury and death by never leaving your child alone in a car, not even for a minute. And make sure to keep your car locked when you’re not in it so kids don’t get in on their own.
  • C: Create reminders by putting something in the back seat of your car next to your child such as a briefcase, a purse or a cell phone that is needed at your final destination. This is especially important if you’re not following your normal routine.
  • T: 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. One call could save a life.

Set-Up Extra Reminders

  • Create a calendar reminder for your electronic devices to make sure you dropped your child off at daycare.
  • Develop a plan with your daycare so that if your child is late, you’ll be called within a few minutes. Be especially careful if you change your routine for dropping off children at daycare.

Teach Kids Not to Play in Cars

  • Make sure to lock your vehicle, including doors and the trunk, when you’re not using it.
  • Keep keys and remote entry fobs out of children’s sight and reach.

Pet Reminder

  • Never leave pets unattended in the car or other enclosed outdoor spaces. They can quickly overheat and die.
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