The Enid Police Department has released a PSA regarding leaving children in hot cars and the health risk it poses to those kids.
A child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult’s. When a child is left in a vehicle, that child’s temperature can rise quickly, and the situation can quickly become dangerous.
Heatstroke begins when the core body temperature reaches about 104 degrees. A child can die when their body temperature reaches 107 degrees.
In 2024, 39 children across the United States died of heatstroke after being left or trapped in hot cars, a 35% increase from the previous year.
Never leave a child in a vehicle unattended for any length of time. Rolling down windows or parking in the shade does little to change the interior temperature of a vehicle. Make it a habit to check your entire vehicle—especially the back seat—before locking the doors and walking away.
Place a personal item, such as a purse or briefcase, in the back seat to serve as a reminder. Store car keys out of reach of children and teach children that a vehicle is not a play area.
Always lock your car when you aren’t using it; even if you don’t have a child of your own, a child in the neighborhood could get into your unlocked vehicle.
If you see a child alone in a locked car, act immediately and call 911. A child in distress due to heat should be removed immediately.
