July has barely started and Phoenix officials are already sounding the alarm: do not leave children or pets in parked cars, not even for a quick errand. With triple-digit afternoons and warm nights, a closed vehicle in the Valley can turn into a life-threatening oven within minutes.
July is here! Never leave children or pets in vehicles, even for a minute. In Phoenix's extreme heat, a car can reach deadly temperatures.
— City of Phoenix, AZ (@CityOfPhoenixAZ) July 1, 2026
City Posts Blunt Reminder
The City of Phoenix pushed out the warning on its official X account on Wednesday, urging residents to “never leave children or pets in vehicles,” as it wrote on X. The city also encouraged people to seek out cooler indoor spaces across the Valley and pointed residents to Maricopa County’s Heat Relief Network for a list of cooling centers and hydration sites. Maricopa County launched the 2026 Heat Relief Network on May 1.
How Fast A Car Becomes An Oven
The physics do not cut anyone a break. Interior temperatures in a parked car climb fast, and a sealed cabin can become deadly in a very short time. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that inside temperatures can jump nearly 20°F in just the first 10 minutes. Long-running trackers such as NoHeatStroke.org have recorded hundreds of preventable pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths over the past several decades.
Pets Are At Risk, Too
Animals do not handle this any better. In fact, they can overheat even faster than people. The ASPCA warns that dogs and cats left in vehicles can suffer heatstroke and organ failure within minutes. Warning signs include heavy panting, excessive drooling, collapse or seizures. If you find a pet in distress in a vehicle, call animal control or 911.
What To Do If You Spot Someone Inside
If you see a child or pet alone in a vehicle, call 911 right away and give dispatch the exact location, vehicle description and license plate number. The NHTSA advises bystanders to alert store staff or security so they can try to page the owner, stay with the vehicle until help arrives, and, if the occupant appears unresponsive and emergency response is delayed, take steps to remove the person while documenting what you do and seeking witnesses.
Prevention Tips And Local Relief
Small routines can prevent tragedy. Safety advocates and resources like NoHeatStroke.org suggest always checking the back seat before you walk away from your car, placing a phone or purse in the rear with a child, or keeping a stuffed animal in the front seat as a visual reminder that someone is in the back.
If you need a cool place to be, Maricopa County’s Heat Relief Network keeps an interactive map of cooling centers, hydration stations and a downtown respite site, and you can call 2-1-1 to get help finding the closest option. Heat is predictable and these emergencies are preventable. If you are worried about someone in a car, do not wait to act, because seconds matter.
