How to keep kids safe in the car during summer road trips

Summer road trips can mean snacks in the back seat, extra bathroom stops, long travel days, and plenty of “Are we there yet?” moments. But before your family heads out on the road, a few simple safety steps can help protect children during summer travel.

Whether you’re driving across town or across the country, two risks deserve extra attention during warmer months: children being left in hot vehicles and car seats being used incorrectly.

How to prevent hot car deaths during the summer

Hot vehicle incidents are entirely preventable, but they can happen to any family.

“The first step to preventing hot car deaths is believing it can happen to you,” said Michelle Jamison, children’s health program manager with Intermountain Children’s Health. “It happens to good parents every day.”

According to the National Safety Council, an average of 37 children die each year from heatstroke after being left in a car. The highest years on record were 2018 and 2019, when 53 children died each year after being left in a hot vehicle.

Summer travel can increase the risk because routines often change. Parents may be traveling with different schedules, switching drivers, or juggling distractions during busy days on the road. Miscommunication between caregivers is also a common factor.

That’s why experts say one of the most important prevention steps is recognizing that it can happen to anyone.

The "Stop, Look, Lock" routine every parent should use

Intermountain Children’s Health recommends following three simple steps whenever you arrive at your destination:

1. Stop. Take a breath when you get to your destination.
2. Look. Always look in your back seat.
3. Lock. Once you’re out of the car and sure no child is in the back, then you’ll lock the car and walk away.

Creating a consistent routine can help prevent tragedy, especially during long trips or busy days when families are out of their normal rhythm.

A child’s body temperature can increase three to five times faster than an adult’s body temperature. Cracking a window has very little effect on the temperature inside the vehicle. Even on mild or overcast days, temperatures inside a car can rise quickly.

Families traveling in especially hot or sunny climates should be extra vigilant during summer months.

Intermountain Health offers free Forget Me Not window clings to help remind drivers a child is in the vehicle. Families can request window clings by emailing [email protected] with their name, mailing address, and desired quantity, while supplies last.

How to check if your car seat is installed correctly

Car seats are one of the most effective ways to protect children during a crash, but many are not used correctly.

In fact, 60% of car seats are installed or used improperly, contributing to injuries and deaths in the more than 550 car crashes involving children each year.

For many parents, car seats can feel confusing and overwhelming. Small details like harness placement, seat angle, or installation tightness can make a big difference in keeping children safe.

Before your next road trip, take a few minutes to check your child’s car seat.

For rear-facing car seats, harness straps should be at or below shoulder level. For forward-facing car seats, straps should be at or above shoulder level.

The seat should also be installed tightly enough that it moves less than one inch side to side when tugged at the belt path.

Parents should make sure the harness is snug enough that they cannot pinch extra slack near the child’s shoulders.

For rear-facing infants, the seat’s level indicator should show the proper recline angle to help keep a baby’s airway open and prevent the head from dropping forward.

Additional car seat safety reminders include:

• Never place a child safety seat in the front seat of a vehicle
• Register your car seat with the manufacturer
• Replace any car seat involved in a crash, even if damage is not visible
• Avoid using expired car seats
• Only use secondhand seats if they include instructions, manufacturer information, and have never been involved in a crash

Some children may also need specialized adaptive car seats because of medical or developmental conditions or because they exceed standard height or weight limits.

Where to get a free car seat safety check

Intermountain Children's Health offers free car seat safety checks for families either virtually or in person Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

During the appointment, a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician checks the car seat for proper fit and installation and answers questions about safe travel for children.

Families choosing a virtual appointment receive instructions before the online visit.

“We offer this free service for everybody,” Michelle said. “Anyone can come, they don’t have to be patients at the hospital.”

To schedule a free virtual or in-person appointment, families can call 801-662-CARS (2277) or 801-662-6583.

Families in the Lehi area can also contact the Lehi Car Seat Team at 385-531-1533 between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The summer car safety habits worth keeping

Summer travel can feel hectic, but child passenger safety does not have to be complicated.

Before every drive, make sure children are buckled correctly and car seats are installed safely. When you arrive, remember to stop, look, and lock.

Those small moments can help prevent serious injury and keep children safer all summer long.

At Intermountain Health, families have access to resources, education, and free safety services designed to help parents feel more confident every time they hit the road.