Kids Can't Sit in Hot Cars, CHP Reminds Parents

As summer temperatures rise, parents should be aware of how warm the interior of a car gets and not risk their children's health by leaving them in the vehicle.

The California Highway Patrol conducted a demonstration last week about how quickly temps rise in a parked car.

Using a device to measure the interior temperature of a vehicle versus the exterior temperature, and the difference was alarming. One reading was taken after 10 minutes and the second was taken after 15 minutes. With an outdoor temp of about 84 degrees, the interior of the car was 25 degrees hotter, according to CHP officer Erica Elias.

After seconds after the mother secured her to the car seat, a officer told Patch that it happens quite often.

State law prohibits kids 6 or younger from being left inside a car unless they are supervised by someone age 12 or older if conditions present a significant risk or the keys are in the ignition, according to Elias.

If a child is injured or killed by conditions inside a hot car, the person responsible can be charged with child endangerment or manslaughter, Elias said.

Additional reporting by Claudia Cruz

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