Crime & Safety

State Patrol Issues Warning About Leaving Kids Alone in Hot Cars

So far this year, at least 19 children nationwide have died after being left unattended in vehicles on sunny days.

As the Puget Sound region's warm-weather streak continues, the Washington State Patrol (WSP) is warning parents and other caretakers about the dangers of leaving children unattended in a vehicle on a sunny day.

WSP says at least 19 children nationwide have died after being left alone in cars on hot days so far this year. None of the deaths occurred in Washington.

The state patrol's news release explains why hot vehicles can be especially dangerous for small children:

"Even with the windows cracked two inches, the internal temperature of a motor vehicle can exceed 125 degrees Fahrenheit in a matter of minutes.  On sunny days when the outside temperature may be in the 60s, the internal temperature of a motor vehicle can still exceed 110 degrees within one hour. 

"Heatstroke is caused when the internal temperature of the body exceeds 104 degrees Fahrenheit. A child’s regulatory system is not as efficient as an adult’s, and their body will heat up three to five times faster. When the child’s body temperature reaches 107 degrees Fahrenheit damage to the cells and internal organs will occur. Children less than 4 years old are at greatest risk for heat-related illness."

In many cases, accidental deaths occur when drivers forget about young children who are in the backseat—a scenario that played out twice over the July 4 weekend in Maryland and Virginia. Washington Post columnist Gene Weingarten won a Pulitzer Prize in 2010 for his lengthy feature story about the tragic phenomenon.

WSP advises people call 911 if they notice an unattended child in a vehicle and recommends parents take the following precautions:

-Never leave children unattended in or around a motor vehicle; not for even a minute.

-Put something you will need at your destination in the backseat near the child such as a briefcase, purse, or cell phone.

-Always check the backseat before you lock the vehicle and walk away. 

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-Teach your children that a motor vehicle is not a playground.

-Always lock your vehicle and set the parking brake even in your garage.  Keep the keys out of the reach of your child.

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