Heat rapidly overwhelms the body’s ability to regulate temperature, and children under the age of four are especially vulnerable. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult’s, and when left in a hot vehicle, a child could die within minutes.
While automakers continue developing new safety features to assist parents, AAA offers the following safety tips:
- Never leave children or animals unattended in a car, not even for a short period of time.
- Create reminders and habits, such as leaving an item needed at your next stop in the back seat.
- Make sure all child passengers have left the vehicle after it is parked.
- Keep vehicles locked at all times, even in the garage or driveway, to prevent children from climbing into vehicles and becoming trapped.
- Never leave keys and/or remote openers within the reach of children.
If you come across a vehicle that has been left unattended with a child or pet inside, take action immediately. Call 911 and follow the instructions of emergency personnel.
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