Dangerous heat prompts warning about hot cars as July Fourth travel begins

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Several days of dangerous heat are expected across the Hudson Valley, and AAA is warning people about the dangers of hot cars.

According to AAA, the temperature inside a parked vehicle can rise to deadly levels in a matter of minutes.

On a 90-degree day, the temperature inside a vehicle can reach 125 degrees in just 10 minutes.

AAA officials said children's bodies heat up three to five times faster than adults.

Officials also warned that children and pets should never be left inside a vehicle, even if it is parked in the shade and the windows are cracked.

According to AAA Senior Manager Robert Sinclair, nine children have died in hot cars so far this year.

There were 33 pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths in 2025, Sinclair said.

The hot weather can also put extra strain on vehicles as millions of Americans prepare to travel for the July Fourth holiday.

Sinclair said AAA expects an estimated 687,000 vehicle breakdowns during the holiday weekend.

He urged drivers to have their vehicles checked before heading out on the road. AAA recommends caregivers practice the following to prevent hot car deaths:

Stop and look at the backseat before exiting a parked vehicle. Make it a habit to check the entire vehicle before locking the doors and walking away. Place personal items, like a purse or briefcase, in the back seat as another reminder to look before you lock. In some cases, a sticky note affixed to the steering wheel or a smartphone screen can help prevent a fatality.
Ask childcare providers to immediately call if your child doesn't show up for care as expected. Always seek confirmation that your child was removed from the vehicle safely by anyone transporting them that doesn't typically do so, including spouses, grandparents, other family members and close friends. 
Never leave a child in a vehicle unattended for any length of time. Rolling windows down or parking in the shade does little to change the interior temperature of the vehicle.
Lock your vehicle to prevent unsupervised access and a child getting trapped inside. Keep car keys away from children and teach them that the inside of a car should never be used as a play area. 
Act fast, call 911 and take action if you see a child alone in a locked car. A child in distress should be removed as quickly as possible.