City and County of Broomfield Public Information Office
One DesCombes Drive · Broomfield, CO 80020 · (303) 438-6308

Media Release

Release Date: July 11, 2002
Contacts: 

Rosann Doran
Public Information Officer
303.438.6308 

Leaving infants and young children
in hot vehicles can be deadly

Broomfield Manager of Family and Children’s Services, Debbie Oldenettel, is warning parents and caregivers to never leave a child unattended in a hot vehicle, even if it's just for a few minutes or if the windows are open.

A young child can die from heat stroke or experience permanent injury when left in a hot vehicle, Oldenettel said. A child's core body temperature can increase three to five times faster than that of an adult because heat rapidly overwhelms the body's ability to regulate temperature.

Oldenettel said a child’s body can quickly go into shock, causing circulation to vital organs to fail. When the outside temperature is 93 degrees, even with a window cracked, the temperature inside a car can reach 125 degrees in a very short time and approximately 140 degrees in 40 minutes, she said.

To prevent heat-related injuries in cars, parents should follow the following safety precautions:

• Never leave a child unattended in a motor vehicle, in any weather, even with the windows down.
• Teach children not to play in, on or around vehicles.
• Always lock car doors and trunks – even at home, and keep keys out of the reach of children.
• Watch children closely around vehicles, particularly when loading or unloading items.
• Don't overlook sleeping infants. Always check the back seat before exiting a vehicle.
• If a child gets locked inside a vehicle, dial 9-1-1 or the local emergency number immediately.
• To avoid burns, make certain car seats and seat belt buckles aren't overly hot when restraining children in a vehicle that has been parked in the heat.
• Use a light covering to shade the seat of a parked vehicle. Consider using windshield shades in front and back windows.

For further information regarding the safety of children, call the Broomfield Department of Health and Human Services at 720.887.2201.