Stop. Look. Lock.
SANTA FE – Parents and caregivers are urged to follow the “Stop. Look. Lock.” protocol to prevent hot car deaths.
This simple reminder can save lives —always stop, look to check your car, then lock before leaving. If someone sees a child left in a hot car, they should immediately call 911.
On average, one child dies from heatstroke every 10 days in the United States from being left in a car or crawling into an unlocked vehicle. In 2023 alone, 29 children died from vehicular heatstroke. This preventable tragedy is the leading cause of non-crash, vehicle-related deaths among children 14 and younger in the United States.
These tragic incidents are 100% preventable. Consider these critical facts:
- Temperatures inside a car can rise dramatically to 50 degrees hotter than the outside air—creating lethal conditions even on relatively cool days.
- Even on a cool 60-degree day, a child can die in a hot car.
- Cracking the windows or parking in the shade does little to protect a trapped child.
- Children’s bodies warm three to five times faster than adult bodies, making them particularly vulnerable.
- A vehicle can reach a dangerous temperature in as little as 10 minutes.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reminds the public that everyone can do their part to keep children safe:
- Lock your car when it’s not in use, you can prevent children from gaining access to the vehicle and minimize the risk of them getting trapped.
- Never leave a child alone in a car, even if you think you’ll only be gone for a minute.
- When you’re driving with your child, remember “Stop. Look. Lock.” to make sure your child has been dropped off at daycare or with a caregiver, not left behind in the car seat.
- Keep an item in the back—put your bag, purse or phone in the back with the child to serve as a reminder.
- If someone sees a child left in a hot car, they should immediately call 911.
For more information on vehicle heatstroke, prevention strategies, and what to do if you see a child in distress in a vehicle, visit www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/heatstroke. For current data and statistics, visit https://noheatstroke.org.