Outside heat can quickly raise temperatures inside a car to potentially lethal levels. As a result, the Kansas SAFE KIDS Coalition is issuing urgent warnings to parents and caregivers to take extra precautions when traveling with children. Cracking the window to let air in does nothing to protect kids from heat-related illness. Inside car temperatures can rise quickly, and it's critical that parents never leave kids in cars, even for a moment. The Coalition also reminds parents to watch children playing in and around cars this summer.
Unlocked cars pose serious risks to children who are naturally curious and often lack fear.
We do not want to see a repeat of last summer's tragedies. Since 1987, approximately 22 children have died from heat stroke and asphyxiation after unintentionally becoming entrapped in the trunk of a car. When the outside temperature is 93F, and your window is down one and a half inches, the temperature inside your car can still reach 125F in just 20 minutes and approximately 140F in 40 minutes. Make sure you check the temperature of the car seat surface and safety belt buckles before buckling your children in the car. Use a light covering to shade the seat of your parked car.