Summer Car Safety: Simple Habits That Help Protect Children

Summer often means more time in the car. Families are driving to swimming lessons, camps, sports practices, parks, libraries, vacations, and grandparents' houses. With busy schedules and changing routines, it's easy to focus on getting where we're going and forget that some of the greatest safety risks can happen before the trip even begins.

The good news? Many vehicle-related injuries and tragedies can be prevented through a few simple habits. Here are some important summer car safety reminders for families.

Look Before You Lock

One of the most important car safety habits parents can develop is checking the back seat every time they exit the vehicle. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than half of pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths occur because a child was unintentionally forgotten in a vehicle. NHTSA encourages caregivers to make it a habit to check the entire vehicle (especially the back seat) before locking the doors and walking away.

Many people assume this could never happen to them. In reality, these incidents often occur when routines change, caregivers are tired, distracted, stressed, or operating on autopilot.

A simple routine can help:

• Open the back door every time you park.

• Check every row of seats.

• Then lock the vehicle.

Some families also place an important item in the back seat, such as a purse, work badge, laptop bag, or phone, creating an extra reminder to open the rear door before leaving.

Never Leave a Child Alone in a Vehicle

Not while running into a store. Not while returning a library book. Not while picking up takeout. Not even for "just a minute."

NHTSA warns that leaving windows cracked or parking in the shade does little to reduce the danger inside a parked vehicle. Children heat up much faster than adults, and dangerous temperatures can develop quickly.

Even on days that don't feel especially hot, the temperature inside a vehicle can rise rapidly. Heatstroke can occur much faster than many people realize. If you see a child alone in a vehicle and believe they may be in distress, call 911 immediately.

Lock Parked Vehicles

Another often-overlooked safety step is keeping vehicles locked when they are not in use.

Children are naturally curious and may enter unlocked vehicles while playing. NHTSA reports that nearly three in ten heatstroke deaths occur when children gain access to a vehicle on their own. Keep vehicles locked, and store keys and key fobs out of children's reach.

Walk Around Your Vehicle Before Backing Up

Summer means more children playing outside. Bikes, balls, scooters, toys, and neighborhood friends can appear behind a vehicle in seconds.

Before backing out of a driveway or parking space:

• Walk around your vehicle.

• Look behind the vehicle.

• Check for children, pets, toys, and obstacles.

• Make sure everyone is accounted for.

Backup cameras are helpful, but they don't eliminate blind spots. A quick walkaround can provide an additional layer of protection.

Every Trip Matters: Use the Right Car Seat or Booster

Many crashes happen close to home. That's why proper restraints matter on every trip, even short errands.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and NHTSA all recommend that children ride in age- and size-appropriate car seats and booster seats until seat belts fit correctly.

For many children, that means remaining in a booster seat longer than parents expect. Experts generally recommend booster seats until a child reaches approximately 4 feet 9 inches tall and the vehicle seat belt fits properly. For many children, this occurs between ages 8 and 12.

A proper seat belt fit means:

• The lap belt lies low across the upper thighs, not the stomach.

• The shoulder belt crosses the center of the chest and shoulder.

• The child can sit with their back against the seat and knees bent comfortably at the edge.

Children under age 13 should ride in the back seat whenever possible, where they are better protected from front-seat airbags and crash forces.

Create a Summer Safety Routine

Children learn through repetition.

Try creating a simple family vehicle safety checklist:

• Everyone buckled?

• Do I know where all the children are?

• Is the back seat empty?

• What's behind my vehicle?

• Are the doors locked when we're done?

These questions take only a few seconds, but they can become powerful habits that protect children throughout the summer and beyond.

The Bottom Line

Summer should be filled with memories, not emergencies. The safest families aren't necessarily the ones with the longest list of rules. They're often the ones who build small, consistent habits into everyday routines.

This summer, remember:

• Look before you lock.

• Never leave a child alone in a vehicle.

• Walk around before backing up.

• Use the right car seat or booster.

• Lock parked vehicles

Sources

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): Child Heatstroke Prevention Campaign

• NHTSA Child Safety Resources

• American Academy of Pediatrics Child Passenger Safety Guidance

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Child Passenger Safety Guidance