LONGVIEW, Texas (KLTV) – As temperatures soar, a vehicle left in the sun can transform into an oven within minutes. Authorities are urging everyone to remember that children and pets should never be left unattended in a car, whether it’s running or not.
Longview Fire Marshal Kevin Could emphasizes the critical need to keep children out of parked vehicles, particularly during hot weather. He notes that this is a situation frist responders encounter far too frequently.
“People get distracted; they’re on their phones and forget they have their kids or pets with them in the car. A quick trip into the store can quickly turn into 10 minutes, then 20 minutes, leading to interior temperatures soaring to 120 or even 130 degrees,” Could explained.
According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic safety Administration, there were 39 child fatalities due to heatstroke in vehicles in 2024 alone.
“When you start experiencing these elevated internal temperatures, your organs begin to suffer damage; your brain is affected as well. Your body starts shutting down and it can lead to death,” Could warned.
Lindsay Farrow, Senior Animal Control Officer for Longview, reported responding to 35 incidents involving pets left in overheated cars over the past year—one case occurring recently.
Using an infrared thermometer, Lindsay compared outdoor versus indoor car temperatures and discovered discrepancies exceeding 50 degrees.
Authorities recommend that if you have children or pets traveling with you, placing a bag or wallet on the back seat can serve as a helpful reminder for drivers to check before exiting their vehicle.Developing this habit could potentially save lives.
Fire Marshal Kevin Could points out that if someone exposed to extreme heat stops sweating altogether—a sign of heat stroke—they may require immediate medical attention. In Longview, individuals who leave their animals in hot cars could face fines up to $200 along with potential emergency veterinary costs. Legal repercussions may also arise if harm or death occurs as a result of such negligence.