Tips To Prevent Hot Car Deaths In FL

TALLAHASSEE, FL — Florida authorities are warning of the dangers of leaving children, pets and others unattended in hot cars.

This comes amid Hot Car Death Prevention Month in April, which was established after the July 2023 death of Ariya Paige, 10 months old. Ariya died after her babysitter reportedly left her inside a hot car for five hours, the Florida Highway Safety of Motor Vehicles said in a news release.

After the efforts of grandmother Pamela Paige and legislators, Ariya's Act was passed to designate April as the month to spread awareness and education on the dangers of leaving children unattended in cars and its penalties.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the act into law on April 16, 2024, highway safety officials stated.

"Our family is devastated and will always feel like a piece of our heart is missing with the loss of Ariya," mom Brooke Paige said in the release. "Now, we are dedicated to ensuring no other families lose a child like we lost our precious baby girl. Ariya’s Law ensures that she will forever be remembered and when lives are saved as a result, her death will not be in vain.”

Highway officials said children, pets and vulnerable adults should not be left in cars on hot days.

Related: ‘Brutally Humid’ Summer Ahead In FL, Summer Forecasts Predict

Four Florida children died in hot cars in the summer of 2024, according to No Heat Stroke, ranging in age from 1 to 6 years old.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center calls for a 50 to 60 percent chance that summer temperatures could be above normal in southern and central parts of Florida.

Highway officials warned cars may get hot quickly, with temperatures possibly climbing into the hundreds in a matter of minutes.

The National Safety Council reported 39 children died in the U.S. last year after being left in a car, marking the highest number in a single year since 2019, highway officials stated.

“Even a few minutes in a hot car can cause heatstroke, especially for children,” Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo said in the release. “Each one of these deaths is heartbreaking, but we can take preventive steps. Make it a habit to check the back seat before locking the car.”

State officials offered the following tips for preventing hot car deaths:

• Check the back seat before you leave the vehicle.
• Put your purse, phone or lunch in the backseat so you are sure to look before you lock the door.
• Never leave your car unlocked. Children may accidentally lock themselves in and are unable to get out.
• If there is a change in routine plans and someone different is dropping the kids off, having them call at drop off so you know everyone made it safely.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also has some safety reminders:

• Never leave a child in a vehicle unattended — even if the windows are partially open or the engine is running and the air conditioning is on.
• Train yourself to “Park, Look, Lock,” or always ask yourself, "Where's Baby?"
• Ask your child care provider to call if your child doesn’t show up for care as expected.
• Write a note or place a stuffed animal in the passenger's seat to remind you that a child is in the back seat.
• Store car keys out of a child's reach, and teach children that a vehicle is not a play area.