10 Ways to Protect Arizona Kids From Vehicle-Related Injuries

Kids and cars don’t mix well without a little extra care. And in Arizona, where scorching temperatures can turn a parked vehicle deadly within minutes, the stakes are especially high. From heatstroke deaths to backover accidents, many of the biggest risks to children happen not on the highway but in driveways, parking lots, and even garages.

From 1990 to 2024, 50 children have died in Arizona after being left in a hot car, ranking the state fourth in the nation for these tragedies, according to Kids and Car Safety. In more than half of those cases, the child was accidentally left inside.

Why Arizona’s Heat is So Deadly

Safe Kids Worldwide notes that the inside of a car can heat up by 19 degrees in just 10 minutes, and cracking a window doesn’t help. On a 90-degree day, that means the interior can soar past 110 degrees before you’ve even finished running an errand.

Young children are especially at risk because their body temperatures rise faster than those of adults. They can suffer heatstroke when their body temperature reaches 104 degrees, and death can occur at 107 degrees. These tragedies can happen even when parents are only gone “for a minute,” or when a child climbs into an unlocked car while playing.

Other Hidden Dangers Beyond the Heat

While hot cars grab headlines, they’re not the only danger facing kids in and around vehicles. Across the country, car crashes kill an average of three children every day and injure more than 440, as reported in the 2023 Child Traffic Safety Facts from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Even when kids are safely buckled in, mistakes in car seat installation can leave them vulnerable. This video from the National Safety Council shows that 65% of car seats are installed incorrectly, often because seat models and vehicle designs vary. Meanwhile, off the road, backover incidents — when a car reverses over a child hidden from view — cause about 210 deaths and 15,000 injuries every year.

Top 10 Ways to Protect Your Child In and Around the Car

The good news is that these tragedies are largely preventable through small, consistent habits that keep safety top of mind. These car safety tips for kids can help you protect your child from the dangers that vehicles can pose.

  1. Never leave a child alone in a car.

Even a few minutes in a parked vehicle can be deadly in Arizona’s heat. Always check the back seat before locking the car, and keep vehicles locked when not in use so children can’t climb inside to play.

  1. Check around the car before moving.

Backover crashes happen most often in driveways and parking lots. Walk completely around your vehicle before backing out to ensure no children are behind or near it.

  1. Use the correct car seat for your child’s age and size.

Children transition from rear-facing to forward-facing to booster seats as they grow. The right seat fits both your child and your car, and should always be installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

  1. Install car seats correctly.

If you’re unsure, have your installation checked by a NHTSA-certified inspection station or local fire department. Even experienced parents can overlook important details that affect a seat’s safety.

  1. Seatbelts for all passengers.

Kids are more likely to buckle up when adults do. Make seatbelt use a non-negotiable rule for every trip, every passenger, every time.

  1. Prevent rollaway and entrapment.

Always engage the parking brake and never leave keys in the car. Teach children that trunks are not safe hiding spots and show older kids how to use the emergency trunk release.

  1. Children 12 and under should ride in the back seat.

Front-seat airbags can seriously injure children. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends keeping kids under 13 in the back seat at all times.

  1. Know your state laws, but go beyond the minimums.

Arizona law requires children under eight years old and shorter than 4’9” to be secured in an appropriate child safety seat. But these are just minimums. Follow best practices recommended by pediatricians and safety experts for added protection.

  1. Practice defensive driving.

Obey speed limits, school zone rules, and traffic signals, and stay focused behind the wheel, especially in neighborhoods and parking lots where children may appear suddenly.

  1. Teach your kids pedestrian and bus safety.

Children should learn to make eye contact with drivers before crossing, look both ways, and never chase toys or pets into the street. If your child rides the bus, remind them to wait until it’s fully stopped and the driver signals it’s safe to board or exit.

Road injuries remain one of the leading causes of death among children and young people in the U.S., but small, consistent actions can make a world of difference. Double-check the back seat before locking your car. Slow down in school zones and parking lots. Buckle up every ride, every time.

And if your family has been impacted by a vehicle-related injury caused by another driver’s negligence or unsafe conditions, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer at Bache Lynch Goldsmith & Mendoza.