As summer approaches, Huron County Prosecutor Tim Rutkowski is raising awareness about the dangers of vehicular heatstroke and urging community members to take preventive measures.
In recognition of National Heatstroke Prevention Day on May 1, Rutkowski is joining the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to emphasize the lifesaving message: “Once You Park, Stop, Look, Lock.”
Vehicular heatstroke is the leading cause of non-crash, vehicle-related deaths among children in the United States. Since 1998, more than 1,000 children have lost their lives due to being left in or gaining access to a hot vehicle. In 2024 alone, 39 children died from vehicular heatstroke, a tragic increase from previous years.
“Many people believe this kind of tragedy could never happen to them, but the reality is that heatstroke deaths are 100% preventable,” said Prosecutor Rutkowski. He noted that it only takes a brief distraction, a change in routine, or a simple mistake for a child to be left in a hot car.
Even on a mild day, temperatures inside a vehicle can quickly become deadly. A car’s interior can be up to 50 degrees hotter than the outside temperature, and a child’s body overheats three to five times faster than an adult’s. In just minutes, a child left in a vehicle can suffer heat stroke, organ failure, or death.
Prosecutor Rutkowski and the NHTSA urge parents, caregivers, and all community members to follow these three simple steps to prevent heatstroke deaths:
- Always look before locking. Make it a habit to check the entire vehicle every time you park.
- Never Leave a Child Unattended; and
- Keep vehicles locked and store keys out of reach to prevent children from gaining access.
“By taking a few extra seconds to check your back seat and secure your vehicle, we can prevent unnecessary tragedies in Huron County and beyond,” added Rutkowski.
