Coloradans love their 300 sunny days a year and the beautiful spring and summer weather that comes with our blue skies. More sunshine means more time outdoors for families, it also bears a critical safety conversation: the dangers of hot cars for children.
At Mile High Driver Training, we’ve been teaching safe driving for three generations. Safety extends far beyond the rules of the road. It’s about empowering every parent with the practical knowledge to prevent heartbreaking accidents—even the ones you think could never happen.
The statistics are sobering and demand our attention. According to Kars4Kids, a staggering 618 children have died from heatstroke after being left in a car since 1998. Of those tragic deaths, 52 percent were the result of an adult accidentally forgetting a child in a hot vehicle.
During the warmer months, a car’s internal temperature can skyrocket to 109 degrees (or even higher!) in less than 15 minutes. This is especially alarming when you consider that a child’s internal organs begin to shut down once their body temperature reaches just 104 degrees.
A child’s body heats up three to five times faster than an adult’s. 87 percent of vehicular heatstroke victims are three years old or younger. Kids and Cars wants every parent to understand a crucial truth: even if you believe it can’t and won’t happen to your family, a child dies on average every nine days from being left in a hot car (source).
🔥 Related: Firefighter Tragically Forgot His Toddler in a Hot Car for 8 Hours
Even first responders aren’t immune to memory failure. This heartbreaking story is a powerful reminder that hot car tragedies can happen to anyone. No matter how experienced, prepared, or loving a parent may be.
As a three-generation family-owned business deeply rooted in the Denver, Lakewood, and Northglenn communities. Mile High Driver Training, led by CEO Chuck LaMonaca, is committed to equipping all drivers with the knowledge and skills to navigate the roads safely. This extends far beyond just driving mechanics to encompass vital safety awareness for everyone in your vehicle.
4 Simple Hot Car Safety Tips to Prevent Tragedies
Check out these four simple yet incredibly effective tips to help prevent this unimaginable mistake from ever happening to your family:
1. Leave Something Important in the Back Seat
Develop a deliberate habit that forces you to open the back door. Some parents take off a non-driving shoe and toss it in the back, ensuring they must retrieve it before leaving the car. Others find simply having to put it back on each time serves as a solid reminder to check for their child.
You could also place your purse with all your essentials, or even your cell phone on the back seat floor. Bonus: this helps eliminate any urge to text and drive!
The key is to create a physical prompt that breaks your routine and directs your attention to the back seat.
2. Harness the Power of Technology
In today’s world, technology offers invaluable safety nets. Consider downloading a handy app specifically designed to prevent hot car tragedies.
These apps can alert you each time you leave your vehicle, sending a personalized reminder directly to your phone to check the back seat.
Imagine: as soon as you exit your car, a picture of your little one pops up on your phone, providing a visual cue to ensure you’re not leaving them behind.
3. Make Opening the Back Door a Non-Negotiable Habit
Think about your existing driving habits. Do you always engage the parking brake, or consistently flip in your mirror, or habitually lock your car upon exit?
Elevate opening the back door to the same level of automatic behavior.
Regardless of whether you need to grab something, always make it a point to open that back door. Then, lock your door afterward. This can prevent a curious child from accidentally getting into the car and becoming trapped while playing unsupervised.
4. Never Rely Solely on the Rear View Mirror
When a baby is in a rear-facing car seat, from the front seat, it can be incredibly difficult to tell if they are in it or not, especially if they’re asleep.
Do not allow overconfidence to lull you into a false sense of security.
Instead, always take that crucial extra second to physically turn around and double-check the back seat. Once a baby falls asleep in their car seat, they become harder to see and hear. A combination that can lead to tragic consequences.
Stay Safe, Stay Vigilant with These Hot Car Safety Tips
Mile High Driver Training is committed to promoting safe driving practices for all ages. By implementing these simple yet critical hot car safety tips, you can add an extra layer of protection for your child. And significantly reduce the risk of a hot car tragedy.
Stay safe, stay vigilant. Remember, even the best parents need practical strategies to prevent the unthinkable.
About the Author
Chuck LaMonaca is the Owner and CEO of Mile High Driver Training. A three-generation, family-owned business dedicated to promoting safe, confident drivers throughout Denver, Lakewood, Northglenn. A parent with years of experience in driver education and a deep commitment to community safety. Chuck believes that empowering families with practical tools and real-world awareness is the key to preventing tragedies and building a culture of responsibility on the road.