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This is a life-threatening emergency. Call 911 immediately, then follow these steps while waiting for help.
Child Left in Hot Car
Content reviewed against published AAP, NHTSA, Safe Kids guidelines
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Vehicular heatstroke is one of the leading causes of non-crash vehicle deaths in children. A car can heat up 20 degrees in just 10 minutes. A child's body heats up 3-5 times faster than an adult's. This is always a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate action.
Immediate actions
- Call 911 immediately
- Call 911 immediately
- DO NOT: Do NOT wait for the car owner or keys — seconds matter
Step-by-Step Response
Call 911
Call 911 immediately. If you find an unresponsive child in a hot car, this is a life-threatening emergency. Tell dispatcher: location, child's condition, and that you are removing the child from the vehicle.
Remove from vehicle
Try all doors first. If locked, break the REAR window (furthest from child) using a tool, rock, or car headrest post. Remove the child immediately.
Move to shade or AC
Get child to a cool area: shade, air-conditioned building, or air-conditioned vehicle. Get out of direct sun.
Begin rapid cooling
Remove unnecessary clothing. Apply cool (not ice cold) water to the skin, especially head, neck, armpits, and groin. Fan the child vigorously. Spray with a hose or pour water from bottles.
Check responsiveness
Is child responsive? Alert? Confused? Unconscious? If unresponsive or not breathing, begin CPR immediately while continuing cooling efforts.
Offer fluids if conscious
If child is alert and can swallow, offer small sips of cool water. Do not force fluids if confused or drowsy.
Continue cooling until EMS arrives
Do not stop cooling efforts. Body temperature can exceed 104F rapidly in children. Heatstroke above 107F is often fatal. Keep applying cool water and fanning.
What NOT to Do
- ✕Do NOT wait for the car owner or keys — seconds matter
- ✕Do NOT put child in ice water or ice bath (can cause shock)
- ✕Do NOT leave to look for help if a child is alone in the car — act immediately
- ✕Do NOT assume cracking windows makes a car safe — interior temperature still rises dangerously
- ✕Do NOT give fluids to an unconscious child
- ✕Do NOT hesitate to break a car window if a child is in distress
When to Seek Help
Call 911 if:
- ANY time a child is found in a hot car — always call 911
- Child is unresponsive, confused, or not acting normally
- Child has hot, red skin or hot, dry skin (no sweating)
- Child is having a seizure
- Child is not breathing
- Child has been in the car for an unknown period of time
Go to ER if:
- ALL children found in hot cars need emergency medical evaluation
- Even if child appears well after cooling, organ damage can occur silently
- Heatstroke can cause brain damage, kidney failure, and death — always get checked
Call your doctor if:
- After any hot car event — even if child appears to recover, they need medical evaluation
Age-Specific Guidance
0-1 year
Infants are at highest risk because they cannot escape, communicate distress effectively, or regulate body temperature. Most hot car deaths are in children under 3. Rear-facing car seats make it harder to notice a quiet infant.
1-3 years
Toddlers cannot unbuckle from car seats or open car doors. They heat up faster than adults. Forgotten child syndrome is most common when routines change (different parent doing drop-off). Use visual and technological reminders.
3-8 years
Children may climb into unlocked vehicles to play and become trapped. Keep cars locked at all times. Teach children that cars are not playgrounds. Some older children may be left intentionally during "quick" errands — this is never safe.
Prevention
- NEVER leave a child alone in a vehicle — not even for one minute
- Place something you need (phone, shoe, briefcase) in the back seat to force you to check
- Keep vehicles locked at all times — children can climb in on their own
- Create a reminder system: ask your daycare to call if your child does not arrive
- Set a phone alarm or calendar reminder for drop-offs that are not part of your normal routine
- If a child is missing, check the car and trunk FIRST — including pool areas
- "Look Before You Lock" — make it a habit to check the back seat every time you exit
- Teach children that cars are not play areas
- If you see a child alone in a hot car, take action — call 911 and remove the child if in distress
Frequently asked questions
Should I call 911 for child left in hot car?
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What should I NOT do?
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Sources
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources
Related Emergency Guides
Bottom line
This is a serious emergency. Always call 911 first, then follow the steps above while help is on the way.
You are doing the right thing by learning what to do in an emergency. Being prepared is one of the best things you can do for your child.