Texas Heatstroke Task Force

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Every day actions can prevent a child from heatstroke in hot cars like keeping cars locked and making reminders to check the back seat.

Feeling lucky today? 🍀

Child safety shouldn’t rely on luck. Vehicular heatstroke is preventable.

✔️ Check the back seat
✔️ Lock your car
✔️ Keep keys out of reach
✔️ Call 911 if you see a child alone in a vehicle

Let’s protect every child—no luck required.

Injury Free Coalition for Kids is hosting a Media Contest for healthcare professionals addressing the serious public health issue of children dying in hot cars from pediatric vehicular heatstroke (PVH) sponsored by the National Road Safety Foundation. There are cash prizes available , see the flyer for additional details and deadlines. Please help us share this opportunity widely

Headed out for a Spring Break road trip?

Busy travel days, unfamiliar schedules, and distractions can increase the risk of leaving a child in a vehicle.

Make safety part of your travel routine:
✔️ Place your phone or bag in the back seat
✔️ Set drop-off reminders
✔️ Always check before locking the car

A simple habit can prevent tragedy.

Even on mild spring days, the temperature inside a parked car can rise 20° in just 10 minutes.

✔ Always check the back seat
✔ Put something you need in the back seat to help you remember
✔ Never leave a child alone in a car — not even for a minute
✔ Call 911 if you see a child alone in a car

Last week in Laredo, three children were alone in a parked car — and a bystander called 911. Their call likely prevented a tragedy.

Leaving a child in a vehicle is never safe — even for a few minutes. Heatstroke can happen quickly, and situations can escalate fast. We’re grateful for community members who speak up.

Two arrested after children left alone in vehicle while parents gamble Noon newscast recording

As temperatures rise, so does the risk of child heatstroke in cars.

If you work in public safety, care for children, or support families in any way, our website offers ready-to-use prevention resources, talking points, and educational materials.

Please take a moment to explore and share.

One reminder at the right time can make all the difference.

https://www.safety-connection.org/heatstroke/texas/

National Safety Council NHTSA Texas Department of Transportation Safe Kids Worldwide

Texas Heatstroke Task Force - Safety Connection Safety Connection > Heatstroke > Texas Heatstroke Task Force Texas Heatstroke Task Force The Texas Heatstroke Task Force is a network of child safety advocates, first responders, medical professionals, educators and others across the state who include child vehicular heatstroke prevention activities...

Kids love to explore, pretend, and play hide-and-seek — and a few simple steps can help keep them safe.
Lock car doors, keep car keys out of reach, and teach children that vehicles aren’t places to play without a grown-up.
Tragically, children have climbed into vehicles without caregivers knowing and been unable to get out, leading to heatstroke.
If a child is ever missing, always check vehicles and trunks.

Love is in the little things. A cuddle, a sweet treat, and extra story at bedtime. Little things can also keep your child safe from heatstroke in a car: keeping cars locked, creating reminders to check the back seat, and always getting them out of the car when you run into a store.

Super Bowl Sunday is fast approaching! House buzzing with guests, snacks everywhere, and the game about to start. Nothing like a day full of energy, laughter, and distractions!

In the midst of all the fun, here’s an important safety reminder for everyone—especially if you’ve got little ones around:

🚗 Always lock ALL vehicles when they’re unattended. Kids can be curious and fast—and even stepping into an unlocked car “just to play” can become dangerous before you realize it.

🌡️ Vehicular heatstroke is 100% preventable, but it happens far too often. Even on mild days, temperatures inside cars can rise rapidly—and children’s bodies heat up 3–5× faster than adults’.

✅ Look in the entire vehicle—especially the back seat—before you walk away.

✅ Lock the doors and keep keys/remote fobs out of a child’s reach.

✅ Never leave a child alone in a vehicle.

✅ Teach children that cars are not play areas.

Let’s keep the focus on fun AND safety this weekend!
SuperBowlSunday

We can all help prevent child hot car deaths by taking these steps - even in cooler months:

Call 911 if a child is alone in a car.
Make reminders to check the back seats.
Don’t leave a child alone in a car even for a quick trip into a store.
If a child is missing, check cars and trunks.

At least 35 children have died in hot cars nationwide this year, with the most recent case reported just a few weeks ago, a tragic reminder that this issue doesn’t disappear once summer ends.

While many states are experiencing cold, winter weather, temperatures remain warm in much of the country, and even in colder regions, an unexpectedly warm or sunny day can pose a risk. Cars can heat up to dangerous levels in a matter of minutes, even on mild days.

At Safe Kids Worldwide, we don't want any parent to have to endure the loss of a child. By working together to raise awareness and share prevention methods, we can reduce the number of hot car deaths. To learn more: www.safekids.org/heatstroke