Will County Gazette

As temperatures rise with the onset of summer, the Park Forest Police Department has issued a warning to parents and caregivers about the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles. The department highlights the risk of heatstroke, which can be fatal for young children.

Johns Hopkins Medicine reports that around 40 children die annually in the United States from heatstroke after being left in cars. These incidents often occur during warmer months when even mild outside temperatures can become lethal inside a vehicle. Research indicates that within just ten minutes, the temperature inside a car can increase by 20 degrees, posing serious risks to young children.

"Heatstroke is a silent killer," stated Park Forest Police Chief Brian Rzyski. "It can happen faster than most people realize, even if the windows are cracked or the vehicle is parked in the shade."

Chief Rzyski explained that children are particularly vulnerable as their bodies heat up three to five times faster than adults. Many heatstroke deaths result from children unintentionally being left behind due to routine changes, distractions, or caregiver miscommunication. In other cases, children may enter unlocked vehicles and become trapped.

The Park Forest Police advise residents to take precautions such as always checking the back seat before leaving a vehicle and keeping personal items in the back seat as reminders. They also suggest using visual cues like placing a stuffed animal in the front seat when a child is present and ensuring all vehicle doors are locked when not in use.

Illinois law permits good Samaritans to intervene if they see a child alone in a vehicle and believe their life is at risk. In such situations, individuals should call 911 immediately.

"Every minute matters in these situations," emphasized Rzyski. "If you see a child alone in a car—don’t wait. Call for help."

The Park Forest Police Department remains committed to raising public awareness on this issue and encourages community vigilance throughout summer.

For more information on preventing child vehicular heatstroke, visit www.nhtsa.gov/heatstroke.