A 3-year-old boy died after he was found in a hot car outside his family's home in northern Houston.
Houston fire spokesman Ruy Lozano says the child's heart stopped beating after he was found in the car about 2 p.m. Thursday. He was taken to Lyndon B. Johnson General Hospital, where he died shortly after arriving.
The National Weather Service reports the temperature about that time was 94 degrees but felt like 102 degrees at nearby Bush Intercontinental Airport.
According to Fox26, police said the boy may have crawled into the car to get a toy. He entered the vehicle through the front door and investigators say he climbed into the back. He could not get out because the back doors had child safety locks, according to police.
Read more here.
- Place your cell phone, briefcase, purse or other important item in the backseat before driving to your destination. This will get you in the routine of checking the backseat every day.
- Establish a peace-of-mind plan. When you drop off your child, make a habit of calling or texting all other caregivers, so all of you know where your child is at all times.
- Thirty percent of the deaths in the U.S. have occurred when a child climbed into an unlocked vehicle. Before getting out of the car, check to be sure everyone is out and lock all doors.
- Communicate planned absences with daycare providers. Ask them to call you if your child does not arrive on time, and they have not heard from you.
- Educate your children about not playing in and around vehicles.
- If you see a child alone in a car, dial 911 immediately.
Information from ABC News, KTRK and the Associated Press was used in this report.
