Protect Your Child From Hot Car Death

JACKSON, Miss. — During summer months, about two children die of heat stroke in a hot car every week. The Mississippi State Department of Health's (MSDH) Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies of Mississippi (HM/HB) program is reminding parents to stay vigilant in protecting their children from this preventable tragedy.

As a parent, you probably think you would never leave your young child in a hot car. Here's the deal: Most hot car deaths (52%) occur because a parent or caregiver forgets a child is in the car, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Nearly half of the time a child is forgotten, the caregiver meant to drop them off at daycare or preschool. Most of those deaths occur on Thursdays and Fridays – the end of the workweek.

Not all hot car deaths occur when a child is forgotten. Of the 37 child hot car deaths each year, 25% occur after a child gets into an unattended vehicle, according to the NHTSA. The temperature inside a car can reach over 115 degrees when the outside temperature is just 70 degrees.

Here are ways to keep young children safe:

• Never leave your young child alone, not even for a minute.
• Create reminders. Place your phone or purse in the backseat when traveling with your child.
• Look before you lock. Check the back seat to make sure no children are in the car.
• Pre-cool the vehicle before putting your child in the car seat.
• Hydrate regularly. Offer fluids frequently. For babies 6 months or older, water is a good option.
• Set a rule for your childcare provider to call you if your child doesn't arrive as scheduled.
• Never let children play in an unattended vehicle.
• Always lock car doors and keep your car keys out of a child's reach.
• If a child is missing, check all vehicles, including the trunk.
• See a child alone in a vehicle? Make sure the child is responsive. If not, call 911 immediately.

Read more about our services for children's healthy start in life at msdh.ms.gov/HMHB.