Consumers Should Take Precautions to Keep Children and Pets Safe and Prevent Heat Stroke 

Secretary Mosley: “Extreme Heat demands extra vigilance from every New Yorker”

As extreme temperatures continue to rise, the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection is warning New Yorkers of the danger children and pets face when left in hot cars. Every year, multiple deaths are reported after children and pets have been left in a hot vehicle. Heatstroke or death due to heat exposure in cars occur most commonly when an adult unintentionally forgets a child or pet, who may be quiet or sleeping in a rear-facing seat. Children can also gain unsupervised access to parked cars and get stuck inside, especially if child safety locks are on. There is a real and severe danger in extreme weather and even when temperatures don’t “feel” hot. At 60 degrees outside, after just one hour a closed car can get as hot as 105 degrees.

“Extreme heat demands extra vigilance from every New Yorker,” said Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley. “A parked car can quickly become life threating even when it doesn’t feel excessively hot outside. I urge all New Yorkers to take a few extra seconds to check your vehicle before walking away. Keep your family safe and speak up if you see a child or pet in danger. We all have a role to play in protecting our families, neighbors, and communities during times of dangerous heat.”

“Tragically, at least 1,172 children have died nationwide due to Pediatric Vehicular Heatstroke since 1990. Fourteen of those deaths occurred in New York State. According to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), every year many pets die from heat exhaustion because they are left in parked vehicles. In 2025 alone, 151 animals died due to heat-related deaths and another 365 were rescued from the heat. Anyone found responsible for leaving a child or pet alone in a hot car could face criminal charges.”

Safety Tips for Children

• Never leave a child in an unattended vehicle in warm weather or direct sunlight, not even with the windows slightly open or down, due to the risk of heatstroke (hyperthermia).
• If you see an unattended child in a car on a warm or sunny day, or an unattended child who seems distressed or unresponsive, call 911 right away and follow their instructions. Emergency personnel are trained to respond.
• Teach children not to play in or around vehicles and to alert an adult when a friend is playing in a vehicle without supervision. Make sure children understand the dangers of trunk entrapment (suffocation, heatstroke, etc.).
• Place something you need, like keys, a purse or bag, or your cell phone next to your child's car seat so you will remember to check the back seat before you lock the car. Alternatively, place a stuffed toy in your child’s car seat when not in use and move the toy to the front passenger seat when your child is in his/her car seat as a reminder that your child is in the vehicle.
• Use drive-through services whenever possible while driving with a child in a vehicle.
• It is vital to recognize the symptoms of heatstroke in children. Symptoms include absence of sweat, confusion, disorientation, flushed skin, loss of alertness, unconsciousness or rapid/shallow breathing. 

Safety Tips for Pets

• Never leave a pet unattended in the car in warm weather or direct sunlight. Like children, dogs and other animals have a harder time staying cool, leaving them extremely vulnerable to heatstroke.
• A car can overheat even when the window has been left cracked an inch or two. Parking in the shade or leaving water in the vehicle won’t prevent your pet from overheating.
• According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), young, overweight or senior animals or those with short muzzles or thick or dark coats are most at risk for overheating.
• If you see a pet unattended in a car on a warm or sunny day, or that appears to be distressed, call 911 immediately.
• Recognize the symptoms of heatstroke in pets and take action if you see them. Symptoms include restlessness, heavy panting, vomiting, lethargy and lack of appetite or coordination.
  
  

About the New York State Division of Consumer Protection
The New York State Division of Consumer Protection provides voluntary mediation between a consumer and a business when a consumer has been unsuccessful at reaching a resolution on their own. The Consumer Assistance Helpline 1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding State Holidays, and consumer complaints can be filed at any time at www.dos.ny.gov/consumerprotection. The Division can also be reached via X at @NYSConsumer or Facebook. Sign up to receive consumer alerts directly to your email or phone here.