Children’s of Alabama campaign aims to curb pediatric heatstroke deaths

GCM Staff Report
Posted 6/7/25

Children’s of Alabama is continuing its Look and Lock: A Child Safety Campaign, urging drivers to “look before they lock” to prevent pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths.

The …

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Children’s of Alabama campaign aims to curb pediatric heatstroke deaths

Posted

Children’s of Alabama is continuing its Look and Lock: A Child Safety Campaign, urging drivers to “look before they lock” to prevent pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths.

The campaign launched May 1 and will continue throughout the summer. It’s sponsored by Children’s of Alabama, the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and several state and local safety partners.

“We are so grateful for the continued support from ADECA,” said Ashley Bridgmon, manager of the Health Education and Safety Center at Children’s of Alabama, in a news release. “We must all do our part to prevent hot car deaths.”

Although vehicular heatstroke can happen any time of year, it’s most common during the summer. According to NHTSA, 39 children died last year from heatstroke in vehicles, up 35% from 2023. Alabama has reported 33 deaths from pediatric vehicular heatstroke between 1998 and 2024, though no deaths occurred in the state last year. At least four deaths have been reported nationwide so far this year.

Throughout the summer, Health Education and Safety Center staff will continue educating parents and caregivers about the risks of leaving children in hot vehicles. Billboards featuring messages about the dangers of hot cars will appear along beach routes in Alabama to raise awareness.

This marks the second year Children’s has received a grant from ADECA’s Law Enforcement and Traffic Safety Division and NHTSA to support the campaign.

For more information, visit www.childrensal.org.