As summer heats up, so do the risks that come with warmer weather and outdoor activities. Whether you're out grabbing donuts or running errands around town, it's important to stay alert and prioritize safety—especially for children.
Hot Cars Are No Place for a Child
It is never safe to leave a child alone in a car. Children should never be left unattended in a vehicle for any amount of time. In hot weather, temperatures inside a car can rise rapidly, leading to heat exhaustion or heat stroke in just minutes. This can cause permanent injury—or even death.
Heat stroke (hyperthermia) can result in seizures, shock, heart attack, or damage to the brain, liver, or kidneys.
It’s also against the law in Texas: Texas Penal Code, Title 5, Chapter 22, Section 10
A person commits an offense if they intentionally or knowingly leave a child in a motor vehicle for longer than five minutes, knowing that the child is: Younger than 7 years of age, and not attended by an individual 14 years or older. This offense is a Class C misdemeanor.
Additionally, Child Protective Services may investigate this as neglectful supervision, which is defined as placing a child in a situation that a reasonable person would recognize is dangerous, based on the child's age or abilities.
Your quick decision to take children with you—even for a short errand—can be the choice that keeps them healthy this summer. Stay safe out there!
