State issues urgent warning as heat puts kids and pets at risk

As temperatures soar across New York, officials are warning residents that leaving children or pets in parked cars—even for minutes—could prove deadly.

The New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection issued a consumer alert on Monday urging residents to remain vigilant during the heat wave. “In just minutes the temperature inside a parked car can become deadly, and higher temperatures make the situation even more dire,” said Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley.

According to the alert, vehicle heatstroke incidents typically occur when a child or pet is unintentionally forgotten or gains access to a parked car. Even moderate outside temperatures pose serious danger. “At 60 degrees outside, after just one hour a closed car can get as hot as 105 degrees,” the alert noted.

Tragically, at least 1,125 children have died nationwide due to Pediatric Vehicular Heatstroke since 1990, with 14 deaths reported in New York alone. In 2024, national deaths jumped 35% from the previous year. Animal deaths also surged—111 pets died and 388 were rescued from overheated vehicles, according to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

The Division urged residents to never leave a child or pet alone in a vehicle, even with the windows cracked. They offered several safety reminders, including placing a necessary item, like a phone or bag, near a child’s seat to ensure the backseat is checked. The agency also encouraged using drive-through services to avoid leaving children unattended.

Symptoms of heatstroke in children include lack of sweat, flushed skin, disorientation, or shallow breathing. For pets, warning signs include panting, vomiting, and lethargy.

“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,” the agency advised. The same guidance applies to pets.

Anyone found responsible for leaving a child or animal in a hot car may face criminal charges.

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