What should you do to prevent heatstroke in children left in vehicles?

To prevent heatstroke in children left in vehicles, keeping keys out of reach is crucial. This practice ensures that children cannot accidentally lock themselves in the vehicle, which can be especially dangerous in high temperatures. A child who becomes trapped inside a closed vehicle can quickly suffer from heat-related illnesses, including heatstroke, as the temperature inside a car can rise rapidly.

The choice of allowing children to play in the vehicle creates an unsafe situation where a child might inadvertently become trapped. Keeping the vehicle unlocked for quick escape or leaving windows slightly open for ventilation do not effectively mitigate the risk of heatstroke. In fact, these actions may not prevent the buildup of dangerous temperatures or provide sufficient escape for a child who might be in distress.

By focusing on safeguarding access to the vehicle and ensuring that children cannot unintentionally lock themselves inside, the risk of serious heat-related health issues can be substantially reduced.