With summer months and rising temperatures ahead, the Community Investment for Families Department’s (CIFD) Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) is reminding the public about the dangers of heatstroke and leaving children unattended in hot cars.
May 1, 2025, was National Heatstroke Prevention Day, and OTS is using the month of May to raise awareness and keep children and communities safe. In 2024 alone, there were 40 child vehicular heatstroke fatalities recorded.
To help educate and empower the community to protect their children, CIFD will partner with its Central City Neighborhood Partners (CCNP) FamilySource Center to provide a free heatstroke workshop for families on May 19.
“Our department is committed to investing in the health and prosperity of families, which includes providing parents and caregivers the tools they need to keep their children safe while on the road and in their vehicles,” said Abigail R. Marquez, CIFD General Manager.
“These workshops are full of critical and life-saving resources and our certified team is proud to provide them in partnership with the California Office of Traffic Safety.”
With record temperatures happening each year, particularly in the Los Angeles area, children are increasingly at risk for heatstroke, which can happen in a matter of minutes. Three common ways that heatstroke occurs, include: (1) a child forgotten in the backseat; (2) a child gaining access to a car on its own; (3) a child knowingly being left behind by a caregiver.
OTS urges families to take the following actions to prevent child heat stroke:
- Never leave children unattended in vehicles.
- Keep the car locked when not inside to prevent children from entering alone. Keep keys secured away from children’s reach.
- Keep reminders of children in the driver area of the car and/or leave important items for destination (phone, purse, wallet, ID badge) in the backseat when traveling with children.
- Call 911 if you witness a child left alone in a car, and follow their instructions.
Vehicular heatstroke deaths are 100 percent preventable and CIFD is reminding the community to always “Look Before You Lock.”