Leaving a child in a hot car, even for a few minutes, can have devastating and often fatal consequences. In Arizona’s intense summer heat, the temperature inside a parked vehicle can rise by 20 degrees or more within just 10 minutes—even with the windows cracked. Children’s bodies heat up three to five times faster than adults’, making them especially vulnerable to heatstroke. When a child’s body temperature reaches 104°F, internal organs begin to shut down; at 107°F, death can occur. Tragically, even well-meaning parents can underestimate the danger or become distracted, leading to heartbreaking outcomes.
Raising awareness about this issue is vital because it can happen to anyone—routine changes, stress, or a simple lapse in memory can result in a child being forgotten in the back seat. That’s why it’s important to build habits and use reminders, like placing a bag or phone in the back seat, keeping a visual cue on the dashboard, or using car seat alarms. Love means constant protection, and one of the most powerful acts of love is ensuring children are never left unattended in a vehicle. In the Arizona heat, a few minutes can mean a lifetime—never leave a child alone in a car, not even for a moment.
