In recent years, the number of children who have died in cars from heatstroke has increased. There were 43 deaths nationwide in 2017, and 52 in 2018. A child dies every seven days from being left in a hot car, a sobering statistic made worse by the fact that these tragedies are often preventable.
“Look Before You Lock” is an effort led by the Boise Police Department in partnership with AAA, the Idaho Transportation Department, Idaho Humane Society, St. Luke’s Children’s, Meridian Police Department, Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Albertsons, City of Boise, City of Meridian, Pioneer Federal Credit Union, and more to protect Idaho children from harm.
“We need to dispel some misunderstandings about hot cars,” Conde said. “Heat fatalities can occur when the outside temperature is 80 degrees Fahrenheit or less, and a car interior can heat up by 20 degrees in as little as 10 minutes, even with the windows partly down or in a shaded area.”