April 24, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Police and hospital reps warn against leaving children in hot vehicles

 

LAPD and Children's Hospital representatives released warnings against leaving children unattended in hot vehicles. (Thinkstock)
LAPD and Children’s Hospital representatives released warnings against leaving children unattended in hot vehicles. (Thinkstock)

Los Angeles police and Children’s Hospital representatives warned the public today about the dangers of leaving children unattended in hot vehicles after a Sylmar toddler climbed into an unoccupied car and was unable to get out.

The 3-year-old boy got into a vehicle outside his home 14400 block of Foothill Boulevard in Sylmar Wednesday afternoon and died when he was overcome by the heat.

“It is obvious that we have a problem in our communities with children being forgotten inside vehicles, children being intentionally being left inside the vehicle and children being allowed to play around vehicles,” Detective Bill Bustos said during a news conference at the Valley Traffic Division. “We need to have this reminder to inform the community that there is a problem so that they can take the precautions to prevent a tragedy.”

According to police, the temperature of a car left in the summer sun can rise nearly 10 degrees in 20 the first minutes, 34 degrees in 30 minutes and 45-50 degrees after one to two hours. Police said that leaving the windows slightly cracked has very little effect on keeping vehicles cool.

“If the temperatures were to be up into the 80s today, it would be approximately 130 degrees inside,” Bustos said. “In direct sunlight, the dashboard, steering wheel and other items inside the car could near 200 degrees … A child dies when his or her temperature reaches 107 degrees.”

Yesterday’s death was third of its kind statewide so far this year and the 18th nationally, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Nationally, an average of 38 children die from heat exposure in vehicles each year.

“This is a completely preventable injury and it is tragic,” said Helen Arbogast, an injury prevention coordinator with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. “They die because we haven’t done our part as adults.”

Police urged anyone who sees a child locked in a parked car to first see if the child is responsive and then try to find the parents. If the child does not respond or appears to be in distress, police said to call 911 and then try get into the car, breaking the window if necessary.

Bustos said parents should check back seats before leaving their cars.

“Becoming vigilant about looking in the vehicle before locking the door is important. Always look from front to back before walking away,” Bustos said.

In Sylmar Wednesday, the boy who died was not locked inside the car. The ambient temperatue at the time was in the 90s, with some San Fernando Valley hotspots around 100 degrees. Police declined to say how long he might have been in the vehicle when firefighters arrived.

The boy’s name was unavailable today. It was unclear if the boy’s parents would be charged in the death.

Related Posts

The Brian Jonestown Massacre Drops New Double A-Side Ahead of U.S. Tour

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

Legendary Psych-Rockers Set April 25 Release and Fall North American Tour The Brian Jonestown Massacre is set to release a...

(Video) Matú Kai Brentwood: The full experience

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Sister restaurant to Matú in Beverly Hills, located at 11777 San Vicente Blvd. Sister restaurant to Matú in Beverly Hills,...

Uncle Stevey’s Bagels Wins Westside Hearts with Next-Level Bagels, Premium Sandwiches, and Local Coffee

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Family-Run Shop Serves Delicious and Thoughtfully Curated Bagels With Love By Dolores Quintana A little more than a year since...

Santa Monica’s Socalo Toasts Pali Wine Co. with a Five-Course Culinary Celebration

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Enjoy Celebrated Central Coast Wines, Including a 100-Point Red Blend Socalo, the acclaimed Mexican restaurant from celebrity chefs Mary Sue...

Go Go Bird Teams Up with Chef Chris Oh for Korean-Inspired Fried Chicken Sandwich

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Crispy, Saucy, Spicy: Chris Oh’s Fried Chicken Sandwich Lands in Culver City Go Go Bird, located in Culver City’s Citizen...

Fogo de Chão Hosts Wine Lover’s Dream Night with Chilean Winery VIK

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Diners Will Enjoy a Chef-Curated South American Menu, Highly Rated Wines Wine lovers and culinary connoisseurs are invited to gather...

(Video) A Myriad of Ways to Unlock Your Beauty Offered at Mirror Mirror Med Spa

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

For More Info, Go To Mirrormedspa.com For More Info, Go To https://t.co/5uE3LO9Lz9 pic.twitter.com/tz8YgJaB4j — Westside Today (@WestsideLAToday) April 23, 2025

New York Film Academy in Los Angeles Offers Summer Camps, Programs

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

New York Film Academy in Los Angeles is hosting several summer camps for teenagers and kids, providing practical training in...

Cinespia Returns to Hollywood Forever With Cult Classics and a David Lynch Tribute

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Hollywood Forever Cemetery Becomes a Moviegoer’s Paradise Once Again Cinespia, Los Angeles’ beloved outdoor cinema series, will return to Hollywood...

Major I-405 Rehab Project Unveiled: Caltrans to Host Virtual Info Meeting

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Sepulveda Pass Overhaul: New Pavement, Safer Roads, Better Commutes The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will hold a virtual informational...

Culver City Government Hosts Second Annual Mental Health Fair at City Hall

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Free Tools, Resources, and Relaxing Activities at Wellness Celebration Culver City will host its second annual Mental Health Resource Fair...

Skip Traffic, Relax, Catch a Vibe: Midweek Sunset Party Lands on the Westside

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

DJ Jason Bentley, Mocktails, Games, Food Trucks, Light Up Fox Hills Commuters looking to escape rush hour gridlock on Thursday,...

San Fernando Valley Man Gets 5 Years for Beverly Hills Bank Fraud and Identity Theft

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Federal Prison for ID Thief Who Raided Beverly Hills Mailboxes for Millions A North Hills man was sentenced Monday to...

Santa Monica Police to Target Impaired Drivers at DUI Checkpoint 

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Officers Will Be On Alert for Alcohol and Drug Impairment The Santa Monica Police Department announced plans to conduct a...

Academy Announces Major Changes for 98th Oscars, Including AI Rules and New Casting Award

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Academy Now Requires Viewing All Nominees to Cast Final Ballots The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has unveiled...