The heat is coming; safety officials urge public to never leave children in vehicles

SALT LAKE CITY– Thirteen children in Utah have died from heat exhaustion after being left in vehicles. Local first responders want to get the word out as more blazing-hot days are coming. 

Intermountain Primary Children’s program manager Michelle Jamison talked about the challenges new parents face, especially with sleep deprivation. 

From one parent to another, you might think, ‘I would never forget about my children.’ But then you remember the early days and how exhausted you were.

Jamison said sleep deprivation isn’t the only reason a kid could stay in a vehicle.

“I mean a lot of times this is happening to families who have a change of routine, who have a miscommunication between caregivers,” Jamison continued.

Jamison expressed the need of the entire community to help so that children are not left in vehicles. Safety officials urge the public in general, not just parents, to step up and prevent more tragic losses. 

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