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Never leave a child in a car: how fast cars heat up, and the habits that help
A quick dash into the shop. They're asleep, the car's in the shade, you'll be two minutes. It's one of the most ordinary situations parents find themselves in, and one of the most dangerous.
Cars heat up faster than you'd think
A study in the journal Pediatrics measured a parked car on sunny days between 22°C and 36°C. Around 80% of the temperature rise happened in the first 30 minutes, and leaving the windows open a crack made no real difference.
Children are at greater risk than adults, because their body temperature rises three to five times faster.
It happens to loving, careful parents
In the US, NHTSA counted 1,010 children who died of heatstroke in vehicles between 1998 and 2024, about 37 a year. More than half were simply forgotten by a caregiver, often on a day when the normal routine changed. Almost a quarter got into a car on their own.
Habits that stop it happening
- Never leave a child in a car, not even for a minute, windows open or not.
- Put something you'll need in the back with your child, like your phone, bag or work pass, so you always look before you lock.
- Ask your nursery or childminder to call you if your child doesn't arrive when expected.
- Lock your car at home and keep the keys out of reach, so children can't climb in to play.
- Teach children that cars aren't a place to play or hide.
If you see a child alone in a hot car
If they seem distressed or unwell, call 999 in the UK or 911 in the US straight away. Try to find the driver, but don't wait if the child is in trouble.
We're building Mya'Shield, an early alert device that tells parents when something seems off, including if it's getting too hot where your child is, or if they stop moving for longer than expected. It's a backup to good habits, never a replacement for them.