Texas Heatstroke Task Force

10/20/2026

Spotted on Hwy 183 in Austin!

Safe habits can't take a break - even with these coolers temps. Once you park, remember to stop, look in the back seats, then lock the doors to prevent kids from being left in a car or getting in without an adult knowing.

10/13/2026

We love hearing from our community when you spot heatstroke prevention messaging out in the wild.

A parent shared this flyer from NHTSA that was recently sent home by an Austin elementary school. When we build habits and create reminders to always before leaving our cars, no child will be forgotten.

Seeing schools and organizations share these prevention reminders is exactly the kind of community awareness and engagment that can save lives.

Have you spotted heatstroke prevention reminders at your school, workplace, or around town? If so, let us know!

09/24/2026

Right car seat? Check.
Installed tightly? Check.
Buckled correctly? Check.
Tips for preventing vehicular heatstroke? Check.

Talking to caregivers about how to prevent vehicular heatstroke is a part of a car seat check-up from a Certified Child Passenger Safety Tech. Find a car seat check near you this Child Passenger Safety Week!

The Department of State Health Services is currently undergoing Sunset review. Learn more about the Sunset process and provide feedback.

09/17/2026

Thankfully the child was found and is okay. Creating systems and reminders so all children are accounted for on every trip is essential to preventing vehicular heatstroke.

Police say a daycare driver miscounted her passengers, leaving a 5-year-old inside a locked van for 30 to 45 minutes.

09/13/2026

Thanks to Buda Police Department for all your work to keeps kids safe and prevent heatstroke in cars.

Top Tips:

A - Avoid heatstroke by never leaving a child in a car and keep cars locked.
C - Create reminders so a child is not forgotten in the car. *Forgetting a child is the most common cause of vehicular heatstroke deaths.
T - Take action. Call 911 if you see a child alone in a car.

HAPPENING NOW

Join us today at the 9th Annual Hays County Office of Emergency Services Emergency Preparedness Fair.
We’re handing out emergency blankets, promoting vehicular heatstroke prevention, discussing vehicle emergency kits, and there’s tons of swag.

Come by and spin the wheel for a prize!

We’ll be here until 2:30pm at La Verde Park in Kyle.

Heatstroke display by the Texas Heatstroke Task Force.
Heatstroke and water safety materials from Safe Kids San Antonio.
Check out the new app from Project SafeRide.
Volunteers from Buda Police Foundation and Hays County CERT.

09/09/2026

It may be September but Texans know that intense summer heat is still here. Everyday habits in the car can save lives. Look before you lock. Keep cars locked when parked. Make reminders so a child is never left behind.

Triple digit summer temperatures mean kids are at greater risk for heatstroke! As temperatures rise outside, we’re reminding parents and caregivers that the temperature inside a car is even hotter. When a car's internal temperature can rise by 19 degrees in just 10 minutes, it's important to double-check the back seat before leaving your vehicle. This year, there have been 23 hot car deaths with 5 occurring in August alone. Most parents and caregivers believe it could never happen to them, but in most cases, the child is left behind unknowingly.

08/26/2026

Love this reel from Buda Police Department!

Keep kids safe from heatstroke in hot cars with these tips:

Avoid - Avoid heatstroke by never leaving a child in a car, not even for a minute

Create Reminders - Move a stuffed animal from child seat to front seat when we a child is in the car. Or put work badge, phone, purse in back by child.

Take Action - Call 911 if a child is alone in a car.

08/11/2026

Thanks for putting heatstroke prevention information in your June newsletter! We love seeing these safety tips being shared in cities across Texas.

Top safety tips:
*Never leave a child alone in a vehicle, even for a short trip into a store.
*Make reminders to check the back seat.
*Call 911 if you see a child alone in a car.

https://coautilities.com/wps/wcm/connect/occ/coa/util/news/aun

08/01/2026

Thank you to Dr. Monica Herrera and for sharing expert insight in The Dallas Morning News about child vehicular heatstroke.

Hot car deaths are completely preventable.

Simple everyday habits help keep children safe:

👀 Make a habit of checking the back seat before walking away from your car. Placing a essential item like a shoe, phone, or bag in the back row gives you a reminder.

🔑 Keep parked vehicles locked at home so children cannot climb inside unattended, and keep keys out of reach.

🚗 If a child is missing, check pools first, then check cars and trunks.

🚑 If you ever see a child alone in a vehicle, call 911 immediately.

For more resources and prevention materials, visit the Texas Heatstroke Task Force website at safety-connection.org/heatstroke/texas.

Read the news story (subscription may be required):
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/public-health/article/hot-car-deaths-texas-children-22325008.php

07/29/2026

Spotted on the highway in Austin! We love seeing heatstroke prevention messages out in the wild.

Thank you to ReCon Services and NexWaste for using their space trucks to promote child safety.

Together, we can prevent heatstroke by never leaving a child alone in a car, making reminders so a child is not forgotten, and calling 911 if we see a child alone in a car.



NHTSA Texas Department of Transportation