Dallas

Hot Car Deaths Persist Despite Reports, Warnings

This week alone a 4 young children died in hot cars. Pennsylvania, Missouri, Florida and here in Texas.

This past Sunday a 2 year old boy in Dallas was left in a car while his parents were in church. By the time his family realized he was in the car, it was too late.

The incident Sunday marks the fifth time this year someone has died in a hot car in Texas, with 23 children across the country killed this year. It's a story we hear too often.

The temperature inside a vehicle can reach dangerous levels quickly. On average, it only takes 10 minutes for the temperature inside a car to climb 20 degrees.

In 20 minutes, the temperature climbs 30 degrees. And in an hour the temp inside a car can be 43 degrees higher than the temp outside.

The average high for Dallas-Fort Worth in late July is 97. After 20 minutes, the inside temperature of your car reaches approximately 127 degrees. After one hour it is 140 degrees.

Cracking your window or parking in the shade may slightly delay the temperature increase, but the temperature inside your car will still climb to dangerous levels.

Here are some ways to keep your kids safe.

1. Create routines. Every day, whether the baby is with you or not, open the back door and look in the back seat before locking the door and walking away.

2. Give yourself visual reminders. Place your bag, briefcase, or even your shoe in the backseat with your child -- anything that you must take with you before going to your next destination will remind you not to leave your child in the car.

3. Give yourself audible reminders. Sometimes it can be as simple as telling yourself out loud, “remember to get the kids,” or “don’t forget the kids.”

4. Don’t ever let your kids play in the car. Keep keys out of your child's reach, and make sure the doors and trunk are locked when it’s not being used.

5. If you see a child or animal left in a car, call the police immediately.

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