As summer temperatures begin to rise, the Park Forest Police Department is issuing a strong warning to parents and caregivers about the potentially fatal consequences of leaving children unattended in vehicles.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, approximately 40 children in the United States die each year from heatstroke after being left in a car. Many of these tragic deaths occur during the warmer months when even mild outside temperatures can quickly become deadly inside a vehicle. Studies show that within just 10 minutes, the temperature inside a car can rise by 20 degrees—sufficient to cause serious injury or death to a young child.
“Heatstroke is a silent killer,” said Park Forest Police Chief Brian Rzyski. “It can happen faster than most people realize, even if the windows are cracked or the vehicle is parked in the shade.”
Rzyski explained that children are especially vulnerable because their bodies heat up three to five times faster than those of adults. Even short trips or brief lapses in memory can have irreversible consequences. In more than half of the heatstroke deaths involving children in vehicles, the child was unintentionally left behind. These incidents often stem from changes in routine, distractions, or miscommunication between caregivers. Other cases involve children gaining access to an unlocked vehicle and becoming trapped inside.
The Park Forest Police urge all residents to take the following precautions:
- Always check the back seat before locking and leaving your vehicle.
- Keep a personal item, such as a purse, phone, or briefcase, in the back seat as a reminder.
- Use visual cues, like placing a stuffed animal in the front seat when a child is in the back.
- Ensure all vehicle doors are locked when not in use to prevent children from entering unsupervised.
- Ask child care providers to call immediately if your child doesn’t arrive on time.
Illinois law allows good Samaritans to take reasonable action if they see a child alone in a vehicle and believe the child's life is in danger. In such cases, individuals are encouraged to call 911 immediately.
“Every minute matters in these situations,” Rzyski said. “If you see a child alone in a car—don’t wait. Call for help.”
Rzyski added that the Park Forest Police Department is committed to raising public awareness on this issue and urges the community to stay vigilant throughout the summer.
For more information on child vehicular heatstroke and prevention tips, visit www.nhtsa.gov/heatstroke.