Florida Porch

Cars and driving

Florida hot car checks belong before the quick errand

Florida heat can turn a parked car into a serious concern quickly, so the back-seat check, locked-car habit, and 911 plan belong before every quick errand.

In Florida, “I will only be a minute” is not a good car plan.

A parked vehicle can heat up fast, even when the errand feels tiny. FLHSMV’s summer travel guidance warns that the inside of a vehicle can heat up by 20 degrees in 10 minutes. It also tells drivers to check the back seat before leaving and locking the vehicle.

The habit is simple on purpose. Before you walk away, look in the front and back seat. Keep your car locked when it is parked so a child cannot climb in and get trapped. Put a phone, bag, shoe, or lunch in the back seat when a child is riding with you, if that reminder helps. If a different adult handles drop-off, ask for a quick confirmation.

Florida law also has rules about leaving a young child unattended in a motor vehicle, and the safest everyday choice is much simpler than reading the fine print: do not leave a child, vulnerable adult, or pet alone in a parked car.

If you see someone locked in a hot car and they seem in distress, call 911. The goal is a calm routine that happens before the door closes.

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Last checked against these sources: July 5, 2026.

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