5 Ways To Remember Not To Leave a Child in a Hot Car, from an Expert

Published on Nov. 19, 2025

It's a parent's nightmare—and sadly happens more often than many realize. A pediatrician shares reminders to help prevent these tragedies.

About the expert

Shani A. Jones, MD, MPH, is a board-certified pediatrician with Bluebird Kids Health. She completed her pediatric residency at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center and a pediatric fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Highlights

About 40 children in the U.S. die each year after being left or trapped in a hot car.
Temperatures inside a parked vehicle can soar within minutes, even on a mild day.
Babies and toddlers are most at risk because their bodies heat up much faster than adults’.
A pediatrician shares daily habits every caregiver should adapt to prevent hot car deaths.

While summer is behind us, many parts of the country have seen unseasonable temperatures that can turn deadly inside a parked vehicle. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it doesn’t need to be a scorching day for danger to strike. The temperature inside a closed car can reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit, even when it’s only 60 degrees Fahrenheit outside. According to data from Kids and Car Safety, since 1990, more than 1,160 children in the United States have lost their lives after being left or trapped in a hot car, while another 7,500 have survived with injuries.

Tragically, the reminder is as timely as ever, as an Arizona man recently pleaded guilty to murder and child abuse charges after leaving his two-year-old daughter in the car while he played video games and viewed adult content inside the family’s home, according to People. The little girl was later found dead by the child’s mother. This month that father was found deceased on what was to be the day of his prison sentencing.

Children are particularly vulnerable in these situations. Their body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult’s, and because babies and toddlers don’t sweat as much, they’re less able to cool themselves down. Heatstroke begins when core body temperature hits 104 degrees Fahrenheit, and death can occur once it reaches 107 degrees Fahrenheit.

Experts say these are devastating yet preventable incidents—and that there is truly no safe temperature or length of time in which a child should be left in a car alone. The key, they emphasize, is prevention—building habits and safeguards into your daily routine.

Ahead, Shani Jones, MD, MPH, a board-certified pediatrician with Bluebird Kids Health, shares her top strategies to keep your little one safe—and what to do if you ever see a child left alone in a car.

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5 ways to remember not to leave your little one in a hot car

Always check the back seat before locking your car

A Happy Mother Kisses Her Daughter As She Sits On A Car Safety Seat. — JackyenjoyphotographyGetty Images

You probably check that your phone and keys are with you before walking away from the car—but it’s just as important to check the back seat.

“Make a habit of visually scanning all seating positions, including the back seat, before locking your car and walking away,” says Dr. Jones.

Building that habit helps prevent a momentary lapse, especially when you’re tired, distracted, or your usual routine changes. Many parents find it helpful to say the phrase “look before you lock” out loud or physically open the rear door each time before walking away.

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woman holding baby putting her purse in car backseat — NickyLloyd/Getty Images

Use a reminder object

Pairing your child’s presence with a must-have item can also help jog your memory. We recently read a post on social from one mom who said when she gets in the car, she removes one of her shoes and places it in the backseat next to the baby so she remembers she physically cannot walk into work without first dropping off her little one.

Dr. Jones stands by this strategy. “Use a reminder object to prompt checking the back seat,” she says. “For example, place something you need—like your work badge—in the back seat.” You can also leave your purse, phone, or, sure, a shoe next to your child’s car seat to ensure you’ll always open the back door before leaving.

Newer vehicles often come with built-in rear seat reminders that alert you to check the back seat when you turn off the ignition. For older cars, smartphone apps or Bluetooth trackers can offer similar reminders.

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father checking smartphone while carrying daughter — Maskot/Getty Images

3. Have a plan for when routines change

Many hot car incidents occur when routines are disrupted, such as when a parent who doesn’t usually handle daycare drop-off forgets there’s a child in the back seat, especially if the little one falls asleep.

“Build and maintain consistent routines,” Dr. Jones advises. “Use phone alerts and other reminders such as ‘child drop-off confirmation’ for days when routines differ.”

Setting a recurring phone alarm labeled “Check back seat” for your typical arrival time at work or daycare can also help. On days when your plans change, text your co-parent or childcare provider once the drop-off is complete.

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car keys on key hanger rack on wall — Feverpitched/Getty Images

4. Lock vehicles and keep keys out of reach

Many hot car accidents occur when a child climbs into an unlocked vehicle to play, then becomes trapped inside. Even when you’re parked at home, your automobile can pose an unexpected danger. “Lock vehicles, even at home, and keep keys or fobs out of children’s reach,” says Dr. Jones.

Keeping your car locked at all times and storing keys high, and out of sight, can prevent curious little ones from gaining access. You can also teach older children that cars are never safe play spaces and that the doors should stay closed unless an adult is present.

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Leo waits by the center — The Washington Post/Getty Images

5. Partner with your childcare provider

When it comes to child safety, teamwork matters. “Ask your childcare provider to call if your child doesn’t show up as expected,” Dr. Jones recommends. This added communication step ensures that someone notices quickly if a child hasn’t arrived.

Many daycare centers and preschools already have attendance systems or parent check-in procedures in place, but you can still make a personal request. Whether it’s a quick phone call, a text message, or a childcare app alert, that small effort provides an extra layer of protection on those unpredictable mornings when stress or fatigue make you more vulnerable to distraction.

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baby in car seen from outside — Wendi Andrews/Getty Images

What to do if you see a child alone in a car

If you spot a child alone in a locked car, call 911 immediately, advises Dr. Jones. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) notes that a child showing signs of heat distress should be removed from the vehicle as quickly as possible and cooled down right away.

Many states have specific laws about leaving children unattended in vehicles. To see what applies where you live, visit Kids and Car Safety’s state law guide.

And even if you don’t have children of your own, remember to always lock your car when it’s parked. An unlocked vehicle can look like a fun hiding spot for a neighborhood child, so keeping it safely locked is the easiest way to prevent a potentially deadly situation.

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Author

Dr. Patricia Varacallo, DO

Patricia is a family medicine doctor specializing in preventive care, comprehensive wellness, and health condition management. In addition to reporting on healthcare research and trends for The Healthy, she draws from personal experiences of loss and caregiving to support her readers in navigating grief journeys. Patricia is also the President of t...