Paediatric vehicular heatstroke is preventable. There are different tactics you can use to prevent these tragedies from happening.
On this page
- Safety tips
- Teach safe habits
- What to do if the child is sleeping when you arrive
- What the law says on leaving a child alone in a vehicle
- What to do if you see a child alone in a vehicle
- Vehicle safety features can help
Safety tips
- Always look inside the vehicle before you lock and leave your car
- Put something like a smartphone or purse on the backseat so you will turn around and see what is in the back of the vehicle
- Place your child's diaper bag or baby item on the front passenger seat to remind you that the child is with you
- When your routine changes and someone else takes your child, call to check that the child has arrived as planned
- Keep car keys out of children's reach. This will keep them from accessing vehicles, including the trunk, and getting accidentally locked inside
Teach safe habits
- Teach children that cars aren't play areas
- Teach older children how to buckle and unbuckle themselves and how to lock and unlock a vehicle so they do not get trapped inside
- Inform your child's caregivers about the risks of paediatric vehicular heatstroke and inform them of safety tips to help mitigate these tragedies
What to do if the child is sleeping when you arrive
When you arrive at your destination and your child is sleeping, don't leave them alone in the vehicle. Even if they're sound asleep, move your child to a safe space outside the vehicle.
What the law says on leaving a child alone in a vehicle
- Parents or caregivers are responsible for their children including when they are in a vehicle. In Canada, it's illegal to abandon or expose a child to danger, which could include leaving a child alone in a hot vehicle.
- Each province and territory have their own laws about when a child can be left unattended. To learn more about the laws that apply in your area, contact your local police department.
What to do if you see a child alone in a vehicle
If you see a child alone inside a vehicle, call 911 or get someone to call. The 911 dispatcher will tell you what to do.
Act quickly
- Call 911 and follow the instructions from the dispatcher
- If the dispatcher advises to remove the child from the vehicle follow their instructions
- When you remove the child from the vehicle, and they demonstrate symptoms of heatstroke, you can help bring their body temperature down by:
- moving the child to a cool, shaded place
- apply cold water to large areas of the skin or clothing
- fan the child as much as possible
- You can also ask bystanders to search for the driver in nearby stores or buildings
Vehicle safety features can help
Car makers have started offering safety features to help tackle paediatric vehicular heatstroke. These systems are known as rear occupant alert systems and occupant monitoring systems. Some technologies remind drivers to check for passengers in the vehicle while others alert the driver if a passenger is detected in the backseat.
Although these technologies can help reduce the risks of paediatric heatstroke, they do not replace the responsibilities of the driver. It is important to know the capabilities and limitations of these technologies. Learn more about rear occupant alert systems and occupant monitoring systems.
Related information
- Why are hot vehicles dangerous for kids?
- Hot car warning – Canada Safety Council
- Kids in hot cars - Montreal Children's Hospital
- KidsAndCars.org
- noheatstroke.org
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