It’s NEVER Time to Stop Worrying About Children in Cars

For many people, the weather is cooling off and you may think it’s OK to leave your children for just a few seconds or minutes while you ‘run in’ to do whatever you think you need to do – leaving small children in the car. I’m here to tell that it’s not OK, regardless of the weather, but my opinion has nothing to do with the facts. Car temperatures can exceed outdoor temperatures by as much as 19 degrees in 70-degree weather temperatures within 10 minutes or less.

Facts About Car Temperatures

If 19 degrees wasn’t enough – imagine forgetting or leaving your child in a car for one hour. Within that time at a cool 70 degrees outdoors the inside temperatures can reach 113 degrees. If you live in a warmer state where temperatures are still in the 80’s, your child could be sitting or dying in a car with temperatures upwards of 128 degrees.

The fact is,  outside is much cooler than inside with or without airflow or air conditioning. There are an estimated 38 deaths per year according to the National Safety Council due to hot car deaths. With fall well on the way – this is a reminder to never leave your children in a car. Imagine your entire life being turned upside down for a 10-minute mistake. Or driving to work forgetting to drop off your child while they sit in your car during your workday.

Cars and Kids

Cars and Kids Don’t Mix. Period. Whether it’s due to temperature or because your curious toddler decides to climb up to the driver’s seat – cars and kids just don’t mix. Take your kids with you wherever you stop – even if for only a short time and make sure they never have access to your keys. Even climbing into trunks during an innocent game of hide-and-seek can cost them their lives.

As a parent, be aware of the hidden dangers of cars. Even if you don’t forget them in the car, leaving it open to access is a concern that should not be set aside. If you walk in and put your keys within reach of children or teens that should not be operating vehicles, you are putting them at risk. Keep your keys in a safe place and check your seats each and every time you exit your car to ensure there are no children left behind.

Grace Wells

Grace Wells grew up in the kind of town where no one locked their doors and parents felt safe letting their kids wander. Things have changed a lot since then. As a mother today, Grace has to worry about so much more than skinned knees and hurt feelings.

Grace believes the best way to keep kids safe is to stay informed. She hopes that her work at Kids Safety 101 makes a difference in children’s lives so that they can grow up as carefree as she did.

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