Dangerously Hot Temperatues Inside a Car Rise Faster Than People Realize

Even before the summer sun tips thermometers into triple digits, there are several safety concerns people need to consider when it comes to keeping children and pets safe, particularly in the car.

“People need to realize that a child, because of their body surface area, will heat up three to five times faster than an adult, and their organs will start to shut down if their temperature reaches 104 degrees,” said Dr. Kerri Smith, pediatric hospitalist for Intermountain Health St. George Regional Hospital. “Within ten minutes, a car can heat up by twenty degrees. People need to realize how quickly things can happen, especially with young kids.”

The kind of danger Dr. Smith is referring to—leaving a child in a hot car, even for a few minutes—can result in serious harm or even death. Although national statistics show these cases are relatively rare, Dr. Smith said they do occur, and they are always tragic. Each year, nearly forty children across the country die after being left in a hot vehicle. In Utah, thirteen children died in hot vehicles between 1998 and 2022, and others have suffered heatstroke and related injuries in close calls.

Hot car tragedies can happen to anyone. They may occur when a caregiver forgets a child is in the car. This can be due to fatigue or a change in routine, common during summer break and vacations, which can push a person’s brain into autopilot, making it easier to forget.

Dr. Smith suggests keeping a diaper bag in the passenger seat as a visual reminder that a child is in the back, particularly when the driver is not accustomed to transporting the child. Another suggestion is to place something in the backseat near the child that you are likely to miss the moment you leave the car, such as a purse or a cell phone. “Anything that will remind the driver to look in the back before leaving the car,” Dr. Smith said.

In addition to these precautions, Dr. Smith emphasized the importance of teaching children about car safety, including never playing in a vehicle, even when it is parked. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, one in four hot car deaths occurs when a child gains access to a vehicle.

“Keep vehicles locked so children do not have access to them,” Dr. Smith said. “And if you have children, check all the doors—and even the trunk—before you leave. Kids can find their way into those hiding places.”

When temperatures peak in Southern Utah, even routine travel can pose a risk for overheating. When possible, Dr. Smith recommends starting the car ahead of time and running the air conditioning to cool the interior before leaving.

While the number of deaths resulting from a child being left in a hot car is relatively low nationwide, many more children suffer from heatstroke and other heat-related injuries in these situations. The more precautions taken, the better.

“In general, keeping kids safe from heatstroke and overheating is similar to caring for adults,” Dr. Smith said. “Remove excess clothing and allow heat to dissipate if they are showing signs of becoming too hot.” Drinking cool liquids and applying a cold compress under the arms can also help.

“It’s important to never even consider leaving a child or a pet in the car while running an errand,” Dr. Smith said. “Even if you are leaving the car running and the air conditioning on, what if the air stops for some reason? You never know what might happen.” The reality is simple: no errand is worth the risk. When it comes to children and pets, the safest choice is always to take them with you—every time, no exceptions.