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Look Before You Lock! Heat Safety in Vehicles
August 28, 2026 at 02:22 AM EDT
By WeatherBug Meteorologists
The summer is notorious for long stretches of oppressive heat. Heat waves can be dangerous and even deadly if the proper precautions are not taken while out and about. Speaking of, high temperatures can be especially deadly while travelling. Here we’ll discuss how you can keep your family safe this summer while undergoing sizzling temperatures.
Did you know that even on a considerably warm day where temperatures only reach the 70s it can still be dangerous in a vehicle? There have been reports of cars left parked on a mild day rising to deadly temperatures on the inside of the vehicle. If the interior of the vehicle is dark, then you can expect temperatures to be even more elevated due to the absorption of the sun’s rays. Temperatures ranging between 180 to over 200 degrees can be achieved in a matter of minutes with windows closed.
Here are some tips and tricks to keep children or those more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses safe on the go:
- Temperature check! Test the seat and seat belt to make sure it is a proper temperature before placing children or infants in them.
- NEVER leave a child or pet in a vehicle unattended! Even if it is for a second or a few minutes, it can mean the difference between life and death.
- When kids are at play, keep them away from vehicles! If the door of a car is unlocked, a child can become accidentally locked inside which could have disastrous results.
- NEVER leave your keys in reach of children!
- ALWAYS look before you lock your vehicle! This split second decision can mean the difference between life and death.
It’s no secret that prolonged exposure to high temperatures can lead to heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. This fact is especially true for newborns, infants and young children who are exceptionally more vulnerable to deadly heat effects. Since their bodies are less able to adapt to extreme temperatures, children under the age of four typically experience more frequent visits to the doctor’s office for heat-related illnesses.
Source: NOAA, NWS
(Image provided by Pixabay.com)