Heatstroke Prevention Day | Statesville Police Department

May 1 is recognized as Heatstroke Prevention Day - a critical reminder of the dangers that hot vehicles pose, especially to children. At the Statesville Police Department, we are committed to helping raise awareness and protect our community from preventable tragedies.

Vehicular heatstroke is a serious and often deadly risk. Since 1998, more than 1,000 children have lost their lives in hot cars across the United States. On average, 37 children die each year, and in 2025 alone, 31 lives were lost. These heartbreaking incidents can happen in a matter of minutes and often occur in ways many people don’t expect - children may be accidentally left behind, gain access to an unlocked vehicle, or be intentionally left in a car.

It’s important to understand that heatstroke doesn’t require extreme temperatures. Even on a mild day with outside temperatures as low as 60 degrees, the temperature inside a parked vehicle can rise rapidly to dangerous levels.

Prevention Starts with Awareness

• Look Before You Lock: Always check the back seat before leaving your vehicle.

• Keep Cars Locked: Make sure vehicles are locked when not in use and keys are kept out of reach of children.

• Create Reminders: Place a personal item like a phone, purse, or briefcase in the back seat as a visual cue.

• Never Leave a Child Unattended: Even for a short period, it’s never safe to leave a child in a vehicle.

• Act if You See Something: If you notice a child alone in a vehicle, call 911 immediately. First responders are trained to act quickly in these situations. 

Heatstroke Prevention Day serves as an important opportunity to share this life-saving information with family, friends, and neighbors. By staying alert and taking simple precautions, we can work together to prevent these tragedies and keep our children safe. 

At SPD, we remain dedicated to protecting our community through education, awareness, and proactive outreach.

Let’s continue to look out for one another.