Keep Kids Safe from Pediatric Vehicular Heatstroke this Summer.

Published 06/01/2025

The Texas Heatstroke Task Force (THTF) encourages Texans to ACT this summer to keep kids safe in hot cars:

A – Avoid heatstroke-related injury.
Never leave a child alone in a car, not even during a quick trip into the store. Always lock your doors and trunks – including your driveway or garage. If a child is missing, check the pool and water sources first, then check vehicles, including trunks.

C – Create reminders.
Keep a stuffed animal or other memento in your child’s seat when it’s empty and move it to the front seat as a visual reminder when your child is in the back seat. Or place and secure your phone, briefcase, or purse in the back seat when traveling with your child.

T – Take action.
If you see a child alone in a car, take action. Call 911.

Action Steps:

• Learn more about the THTF and access their resources.
• Watch the Children’s Safety Network webinar, Preventing Pediatric Vehicular Heatstroke.
• Visit Safe Riders Pediatric Vehicular Heatstroke Dangers in Texas page to learn more and download the Keeping Kids Safe from Heatstroke in Hot Cars infographic.
• Watch for the Texas Department of Transportation’s dynamic messaging signs highlighting heatstroke messaging and emergency alerts on highways across Texas the first and second week of June.

Practice Water Safety this Summer.

Published 06/01/2025

According to the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA), there are over 4,500 unintentional drowning deaths each year in the U.S. Drowning is leading cause of death for children ages 1-4 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). According to Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, 15 children have drowned in Texas in 2025.

Drowning deaths are preventable! Drowning deaths can happen in pools; natural water locations, including ponds, creeks, or lakes; or in bathtubs. The NDPA suggests implementing five layers of protection to keep kids safe around water:

• Use barriers and alarms near pools. This includes four-sided fencing with self-closing, self-latching gates; pool safety covers; and motion alarms.
• Supervision. Stay aware of your surroundings and make sure there is a designated, capable adult or lifeguard watching when children are in or around water. An adult should be within arms’ length of infants, toddlers, and children who lack water competency whenever they are in or near water, providing “touch supervision”.
• Water competency. Help children learn and enhance their water safety skills. Water competency and swim lessons should be continuous, not taken for just one season.
• Life jackets. Use U.S. Coast Guard tested and approved life jackets when in or around open/natural bodies of water. Life jackets should be the appropriate size for the wearer. Learn more about USCG tested and approved life jackets in the Safe Boating Council brochure, “How to Choose the Right Life Jacket.”
• Emergency preparation. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training with rescue breaths and basic water rescue skills can make the difference between life and death. Have a phone available and ready to call 911.

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