Summer: Peak Heatstroke Season (May – September)

More than 75% of all pediatric vehicle heatstroke deaths occur between May and September. The combination of school-year disruptions (end of school, camp pickups, changed drop-off routines) and peak exterior temperatures make this the highest-risk period of the year. Double your back-seat checks during these months. Place a visual reminder — a shoe, a stuffed animal, your phone — in the back seat whenever a child is present.

• Use a windshield sun shade whenever parked — it can reduce interior temps by up to 40°F
• Park in shade whenever available, especially during midday hours
• Never leave pets in vehicles during summer months — the same temperature rules apply
• Teach children that a vehicle is never a hiding place or play space

Fall: Back-to-School Risk Window (August – October)

The return to school each fall brings new routines, new drop-off locations, and new schedules — all factors that the research on heatstroke memory failure identifies as elevated-risk conditions. September historically sees a spike in vehicle-related child incidents precisely because families are re-establishing routines after months of summer flexibility.

Fall is also the time to re-evaluate car seat fit. Children grow over summer. A harness that fit correctly in May may be too short in August. Check harness height and adjust before the school year begins. Re-evaluate seat type if your child is approaching the height or weight limit of their current seat.

• Equip children with reflective gear for early-morning and after-school bus stops as days shorten
• Set phone reminders for all new drop-off and pick-up routines until they are fully habitual
• Brief all caregivers — grandparents, babysitters, after-school staff — on the new routine

Winter: Cold-Weather Vehicle Hazards (November – March)

Carbon monoxide is the most underestimated winter vehicle hazard. Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed garage — even with the door open. CO can reach dangerous levels within minutes and has no smell or color. Vehicles idling near house vents or in partially enclosed spaces pose the same risk.

Puffy coats and car seat harnesses are incompatible. A winter coat that compresses in a crash creates slack in the harness that can allow a child to be ejected. Dress children in thin, warm layers and use a blanket draped over the buckled harness. Never install a car seat over a thick coat.

• Check battery, antifreeze, and wiper blades before the first freeze
• Keep a winter emergency kit in the vehicle: blanket, gloves, ice scraper, sand or kitty litter, water
• Check tire pressure monthly — cold air causes significant pressure loss

Spring: Pre-Summer Preparation (March – May)

Spring is the optimal time to prepare for the high-risk summer season before it arrives. Check car seat installation, refresh your heatstroke prevention habits, and restock your emergency kit. If your child has outgrown their current seat during winter, spring is the time to transition. Use the seasonal change as a natural trigger for an annual vehicle safety audit.

Vehicle safety is a calendar. Every season has a specific risk profile and a specific set of preventive actions. Parents who track the calendar stay ahead of the hazard. Parents who treat safety as a fixed checklist get caught by the season they didn’t prepare for.