A Fatal Car Threat You Need To Look Out for Year-Round

Jane Lu
· 3 min read
The sweltering summer months aren’t the only time you should be on the lookout for children or pets dying in a hot car. The inside of a car can get dangerously hot even on a day with mild temperatures.
When you’re
buying a new car
, check for any safety features that can keep kids safe from a hot car and help you save on
car insurance costs
.
According to
Consumer Reports
, children who got into a vehicle on their own made up 38% of hot car deaths in 2020. How can you prevent this and what are some other risks you need to keep in mind?

How dangerous is a hot car?

Heatstroke is the leading cause of death, aside from crashes, for children 14 and younger based on information from Consumer Reports. Children should never be left unattended even if your car is parked in the shade. In one hour, a closed car can reach 105 degrees Fahrenheit even if it’s 61 degrees outside.
Young children can’t regulate their body temperatures well and a child is at serious risk of death if their internal temperature reaches 107 degrees. On a mild spring day, the temperature continues to rise over several hours inside your car.
A slightly opened window is not enough to cool down the car. It’s simply a risk you shouldn’t take.
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How to prevent hot car deaths

The most important thing to do is make sure you’re watching your children and never leave them in a hot car. It is not safe and even if you will only be gone for a minute, it’s not worth putting your children in danger.
Be sure to lock your car doors and put your keys somewhere your children can’t get to. You don’t want them to be able to sneak into the car. There is also heatstroke prevention technology that car manufacturers have been implementing.

New car features that will keep children safe

Having a car with safety features can give you more peace of mind when it comes to keeping vulnerable pets and children away from hot cars. A reminder system or motion detection can help make sure you check for your children in the backseat. It can alert you if they’re trying to get in when you’re not there.
A car with safety features can also help you save money on insurance. Insurance companies like
Allstate
offer a discount on cars with safety features installed.
While you’re shopping around for a car with safety features,
Jerry
can help you find the most affordable insurance rates.
The app is free and quick so you can focus on making the best decision when you’re buying a car. It takes seconds for Jerry to collect quotes for you from up to 45 top insurance companies. Take your time choosing a car with features that matter, and Jerry will take care of your insurance policy.

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