Child vehicular heatstroke is a major problem and growing. This tragedy can happen almost anywhere, and hotter months are the most dangerous. If you see a child or young children left alone inside a vehicle please call 9-1-1.
An average of 37 children die each year in hot vehicles. This includes where a child was forgotten in a car, has accidentally locked themselves in a car or trunk, or in a small number of cases where a child has been intentionally left in a car.
Children, three years of age and younger in rear facing child seats are particularly at risk since they are out of the driver’s view and cannot effectively communicate for help.
Even when the windows are slightly cracked, an outside temperature of 85 degrees can cause the temperature inside the car to reach 102 degrees within ten minutes and 120 degrees within half an hour. Children are not built for heat as their body temperature rises 3-5 times faster than adults.
In California, leaving a child in a hot car can bring about serious charges.
When you are not present in the vehicle, it is illegal to:
• Leave a child up to 6 years old or younger unattended, UNLESS they are supervised by someone at least 12 years old.
• When the vehicle is running or the keys are left in the ignition, or both.
Felony convictions are punishable by two, four, or six years in prison. A misdemeanor is punishable by up to a year in a county jail.
Child Endangerment (California Penal Code Section 273a), charges may be filed if the unattended child is injured or medical services are required.
The Simi Valley Police Department would like to remind citizens to never leave a child in a vehicle unattended. Remember to:
• Keep an item you need in the rear seat; left shoe, purse, cell phone or anything essential to your daily routine next to your child.
• Place a reminder on your key chain such as: friendship bracelet or small toy.
• Purchase a SensorSafe smart chest clip which communicates with a wireless receiver to alert the driver that a child is not safely harnessed. And once you stop your vehicle, you receive an audible alert.
• Install a Waze Child Reminder Alert. After arriving at your destination, an alert will remind you to check your car. Menu > Settings > General > Child Reminder Turn on “Allow Reminders” to keep your child safe.
For additional information please contact Simi Valley Police Department’s Crime Analysis & Prevention Unit, Jean-Marie Maroshek (Crime Prevention Coordinator) at (805) 583-6276 or [email protected].
