This week’s extreme heat is putting everyone at risk with heat indexes reaching as high as 115 degrees. Given the triple-digit temperatures, the Clayton Fire Department is reminding families how quickly a parked car can become hazardous for children. 

“Even on a mild day, the inside of a parked car can get dangerously hot in just minutes,” said Captain Bryan Belvin, Community Risk Reduction Specialist with the Clayton Fire Department. “But with the extreme heat we are seeing right now, the risk becomes deadly even faster.” 

According to Safe Kids North Carolina, if it is 85 degrees outside, the inside of a car can rise above 100 degrees in just 10 minutes. On days like today, with air temperatures climbing to 100 degrees and beyond, the inside of a car can quickly reach 130 to 150 degrees. 

Since 1998, nearly 1,000 children in the United States have died from heatstroke after being left in a vehicle, and at least 14 of those deaths have happened in North Carolina. 

“Your car becomes an oven. The air inside cannot escape fast enough,” said Captain Belvin. “Cracking a window does not help.” 

Young children are especially at risk because their bodies heat up three to five times faster than adults. They can overheat, become dehydrated, and suffer heatstroke in a short amount of time. 

“Most people think it could never happen to them,” said Captain Belvin. “But when school is out and routines change, even the most loving parent can forget a child in the back seat. It happens more often than you think.” 

Captain Belvin encourages families to take these steps to stay safe: 

• Always look before you lock. Get in the habit of checking the back seat every time you park.
• Place something important in the back seat. Belvin recommends putting your phone, wallet, or work badge next to your child. “No one forgets their phone,” he said. “This tip also helps reduce distractions while driving.”
• If you see a child or pet alone in a car, call 911 immediately. “We would much rather respond to a false alarm than a tragedy,” said Belvin.

The Clayton Fire Department also reminds pet owners to never leave animals alone in vehicles. Captain Belvin emphasizes that many people think they will only be inside a store for a few minutes, but the temperature inside a car climbs quickly. Even a short time alone can become life-threatening for children and pets. 

To learn more about fire safety and community risk reduction, visit townofclaytonnc.org/fire.