As temps rise, so do risks for children, pets and vehicles

DEARBORN, Mich., (June 23, 2025) — With the weather forecast calling for temperatures in the  80s and 90s for the next several days, AAA offers safety tips to help motorists keep their children, pets and vehicles safe during what is expected to be the hottest weather so far this year.

Excessive heat can pose great risks to motorists. Within just a few minutes the inside of a car can become dangerously hot, and Michigan’s forecasted heatwave presents a greater risk for heatstroke tragedies. More than 1,000 children have died in hot cars since 1998, according to NoHeatStroke.org. On average, 37 die each year. Despite warnings from safety organizations, each year children continue to die from this needless tragedy.

“People often think that something like this could never happen to them,” said Adrienne Woodland, spokesperson, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “However, many heatstroke deaths are accidents, where a parent or caregiver forgets the child is in the back seat.”

AAA-The Auto Club Group suggest the following safety tips to help keep children safe:

1. Don’t Leave Them Alone, Not Even for a Minute – Never leave children unattended in a vehicle – even if the windows are open or the air conditioning is running.
2. Vehicles Aren’t Play Areas – Don’t let children play in an unattended vehicle.
3. Put Keys Out of Sight – Always lock your vehicle – even in driveways and garages – and keep keys out of children’s reach.
4. Make it a Habit – Before locking your vehicle, check the front and back seat.
5. Keep a stuffed animal in your child’s car seat. When the child is with you, move it to the front seat as a reminder that your child is in the back.
6. Set an Alarm – Consider programming an alarm on your phone that will go off to remind you to check your vehicle.
7. Caregiver Assistance – If you normally drop your child off at a babysitter or daycare, ask the caregiver to call you if your child doesn’t show up as expected.
8. Add a Reminder– Put your purse/wallet or cell phone in the back seat. This way you are reminded to look in the back seat before leaving the vehicle.
9. Call for Help – If you see a child or pet alone in the car, call 911 immediately and follow the instructions of emergency personnel.

The soaring temperatures in a vehicle can also place your pets at risk. Never leave an animal in a parked car, even if the windows are partially open. Even on pleasant days the temperature inside a car can soar to well over 100 degrees in less than 10 minutes, placing your pet at risk for heatstroke and possibly death.  

AAA is also reminding drivers that excessive heat can take a serious toll on their vehicles. Prolonged exposure to extreme heat can lead to costly repairs and dangerous breakdowns, leaving motorists stranded in unsafe conditions.

“High temperatures can accelerate wear and tear on your vehicle, leading to preventable damage that could compromise safety and performance,” added Woodland.

Heat-Related Vehicle Damage Risks:

• Battery Drain & Failure: Hot weather speeds up the chemical reaction inside your battery, leading to quicker depletion and potential failure.
• Tire Wear & Blowouts: Pavement temperatures can exceed 150°F, weakening tire rubber and increasing the likelihood of dangerous blowouts.
• Engine & Cooling System Strain: Heat puts extra pressure on your cooling system, leading to overheating, radiator leaks, and engine damage.
• Fluid Evaporation: Essential fluids like oil, coolant, and transmission fluid break down faster in extreme heat, reducing efficiency and increasing wear on components.

AAA recommends regular maintenance checks to help drivers avoid costly repairs. To protect your vehicle from heat damage, AAA suggests:

1. Battery Check: Test your battery, especially if it’s more than three years old.
2. Tire Inspection: Ensure proper inflation and check for cracks or uneven tread wear.
3. Cooling System Maintenance: Flush coolant regularly and inspect hoses and belts.
4. Fluid Levels: Monitor and top off vital fluids to prevent overheating and component damage.

Drivers should also park in shaded areas whenever possible and use sunshades to minimize interior heat damage.

For more information on summer vehicle maintenance tips, visit AAA.com/AutoRepair

About AAA – The Auto Club Group

The Auto Club Group (ACG) is the second largest AAA club in North America with more than 13 million members across 14 U.S. states and two U.S. territories. ACG and its affiliates provide members with roadside assistance, insurance products, banking and financial services, travel offerings and more. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation with more than 64 million members in the United States and Canada. AAA’s mission is to protect and advance freedom of mobility and improve traffic safety. For more information, get the AAA Mobile app, visit AAA.com, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.