What every parent should know

Child safety organisations such as Kids and Car Safety have documented how vehicular heatstroke happens: a tired parent on a different route, a sleeping child in a rear-facing seat, or a toddler who gets into a car on the driveway. The NHS explains that heat stroke happens when the body can no longer cool itself and is a medical emergency. These tragedies happen to loving, careful families, which is why routines matter more than good intentions.

01A child forgotten in the car

Changes in routine, lack of sleep and stress make memory errors more likely. A quiet child in a rear-facing seat may not be noticed.

What helps

  • Look in the back seat every time you leave the car: 'look before you lock'.
  • Put something you need, such as your bag or phone, on the back seat next to your child.
  • Ask your childcare provider to call you if your child has not arrived as expected.
  • Be extra careful when someone else usually does the drop-off or your routine changes.

02Children getting into parked cars

Toddlers may climb into unlocked cars or boots to play and be unable to get out.

What helps

  • Lock your car at home, including on the driveway and in the garage.
  • Keep keys and remote fobs out of children's reach.
  • If a child is missing, check cars and boots quickly, along with any water nearby.
  • Teach older children that cars are not play areas.

03Leaving a child 'just for a minute'

The temperature inside a car can rise quickly, and leaving the windows open slightly makes little difference. Young children cannot regulate body temperature as well as adults.

What helps

  • Never leave a baby or young child alone in a car, even briefly.
  • Take children with you when paying for fuel or popping into a shop.
  • If you see a child alone in a hot car, call emergency services.
  • Use shade and sun blinds while driving and check your child for signs of overheating on hot days.

Weekly checklist for parents of under-fives

  • Look in the back seat every time you park.
  • Keep your bag or phone on the back seat when your child is in the car.
  • Lock the car at home every time.
  • Agree a missed-drop-off call with childcare.
  • Store car keys out of children's reach.
  • Share these habits with everyone who drives your child.

When to see a professional

  • A child who seems unwell, very hot, flushed or unusually tired after time in a hot car.
  • Vomiting, headache or reduced wet nappies after heat exposure.
  • Any concerns about how your child copes with hot weather.

A child found in a hot car who is confused, drowsy, floppy, unresponsive or very hot needs emergency help: call emergency services, get them out and start cooling them immediately.

Where ONU fits

ONU is for adults and does not monitor children. Exhaustion makes memory slips more likely, and parents can use ONU to keep an eye on their own sleep during demanding periods. The routines on this page are what keep children safe.

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Common questions

Does opening the window keep the car cool?

No. Leaving windows slightly open makes little difference to how quickly a parked car heats up in the sun.

Can this happen on a cloudy or mild day?

Yes. Cars can become dangerously hot even on mild days when the sun is out, which is why children should never be left alone in a car.

What should I do if I see a child alone in a car?

Call emergency services straight away. If the child appears distressed or unwell, follow the dispatcher's advice about getting them out.

Sources and further reading

Educational information drawn from the public-health sources listed on this page. It is not a diagnosis, a treatment plan or a guarantee that you will avoid an illness or injury. ONU does not diagnose, treat or prevent disease. Speak to a qualified professional about anything that concerns you, and follow the rules of your employer, sport or local health service.