As a dangerous national heat wave ramps up, the Bartlett Police Department is sounding the alarm about how fast a parked car can turn into a deadly oven. When outside temperatures climb into the 80s and 90s, the inside of a vehicle can blast into the triple digits in just minutes, turning back seats into potentially lethal spaces for sleeping children or pets. Officers are urging drivers to never leave kids or animals alone in a vehicle, not even for a quick dash into a store.
How Quickly a Car Can Heat Up
Bartlett police highlighted data showing that when the air outside is around 90°F, a parked car’s interior can spike to about 109°F in 10 minutes, roughly 124°F after 30 minutes, and around 133°F at the one-hour mark. Those numbers line up with interior temperature measurements compiled by Jan Null and published by the National Safety Council. The department shared the same figures on its Facebook page to hammer home that cracking a window or parking in the shade offers very little protection from that rapid heat buildup, according to the Bartlett Police Department’s Facebook post.
Why Children and Pets Are at Greater Risk
Children’s bodies heat up three to five times faster than adults', which makes them especially vulnerable in a hot car. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that heatstroke sets in when core body temperature reaches about 104°F and can be fatal at 107°F or higher. The CDC/NIOSH notes that once heat stroke begins, body temperature can soar to 106°F or more within 10 to 15 minutes, which is why every minute in a sealed, hot vehicle is a serious emergency.
Where the Heat Is Hitting
Forecasters say a broad dome of high heat will spread into the Plains, East, and parts of the Northwest this week, pushing heat index values into the dangerous range, according to Weather.com. Local National Weather Service offices have responded with Heat Advisories across dozens of counties, including recent advisories that covered Shelby County, signaling elevated risk for hot-car incidents. With that kind of heat, even a “quick” errand can turn risky fast.
What To Do if You Find a Child or Pet Alone in a Car
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration advises calling 911 immediately if you see a child or animal alone in a vehicle, and getting emergency responders on the way. Medical guidance from the CDC/NIOSH recommends moving the person to a cool place, removing excess clothing, and using water or ice to help cool them while waiting for authorities. To prevent these situations in the first place, safety groups urge drivers to check the back seat every time they exit a vehicle and to never leave a child or pet unattended, no matter how quick the stop.
Bartlett police said their Facebook post was meant to drive home the danger as extreme heat pushes through the region, and they asked residents to share the warning. For local forecasts, Heat Advisories, and information about any cooling centers, officials recommend checking the National Weather Service and your county health department. Residents are urged to stay hydrated, limit outdoor activity during the hottest afternoon hours, and check on neighbors who might be especially vulnerable.
