Pledge to Prevent Child Heatstroke in Cars

Heatstroke is the number one killer of children, outside of car crashes. That’s why the Administration for Children and Families has joined with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA to attempt to reduce these deaths by reminding parents and caregivers about the dangers of heatstroke and leaving children in hot cars.

Heatstroke is the leading cause of non-crash-related fatalities for children 14 and younger.

• From 1998-2013, 606 children died due to heatstroke, representing 61% of total non-crash fatalities in this age group. Of the 606 deaths:
  • 52% were forgotten in the vehicle 29% gained access by themselves and became trapped
  • 18% were left intentionally
  • 1% were unknown cases
• In 2013, 44 children died of heatstroke in the U.S.
• Children are at a higher risk than adults of dying from heatstroke in a hot vehicle especially when they are too young to communicate.
• Children overheat up to five times faster than adults.

Preventing Heatstroke Resources

• Learn how to prevent child heatstroke in cars.
• View the Look Before You Lock Tip Sheet (Ver la hoja de consejos en Español).
• Read our Family Room Blog post, Children Left in Cars: Preventing Accidental Heatstroke.
• Watch a video message from ACF reminding Head Start facilities and Child Care providers to take the necessary steps to prevent child deaths related to heat exposure inside vehicles.
• See the Look Before You Lock Letter co-signed by Secretaries Burwell and Foxx.
• Sign the voluntary Pledge Form that providers and parents can use to keep children safe.
• Get involved and promote this safety campaign.

Source: Administration for Children and Families

Available at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ecd/look-before-you-lock