Temperatures were 102 degrees when a child was rescued from a locked car in the Goodwill parking lot this afternoon. Officials are using the incident to remind the public how quickly heat can become dangerous or deadly in Arizona.  

At about 12:30 p.m., Maricopa police, fire and medical units responded to “a brief incident” outside Goodwill “where a small child accidentally locked themselves inside a vehicle,” public safety spokesperson Monica Williams told InMaricopa. 

“The situation was quickly resolved, and we’re grateful to report the child was never in distress,” Williams added. “While this was purely accidental, it’s a good opportunity to remind the community that accidental vehicle lockouts can happen in a matter of seconds — often when loading or unloading items, juggling bags or managing little ones on the go.” 

It wasn’t immediately clear whether the car in today’s incident was running. Regardless, the quick response time was crucial because Arizona is the fourth deadliest state for pediatric vehicle deaths in heat, according to NoHeatstroke.org, which notes there had been 46 such deaths from 1998 through 2024.  

Nearly 80% of the total heat increase occurs in the first half-hour, according to NoHeatstroke.org. Outdoor temperatures of 100 degrees can raise the car’s interior temperature to 134 degrees in that period. 

“It can escalate quickly,” Sean Benedict, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Phoenix told InMaricopa. “In about 30 minutes, even at 80 degrees, your temperature inside your car goes up to 114. I mean, we’re above 80 every day in the summer here, and even into the spring and fall. 

“Without any cooling going on, your inside of your car can heat up very rapidly and become unbearable and even deadly to anybody left in the car like a kid, your pets, the elderly or even yourself,” Benedict added. 

The NWS today issued an extreme heat warning in Maricopa, which will be in effect Friday morning through Saturday night. Temperatures in the city are forecasted to reach highs of 113 degrees. 

“If a lockout ever occurs — especially when a child or pet is inside — don’t hesitate to call 911,” Williams said. “First responders are trained and ready to help.”

Parents and caregivers should: 

• Never leave a child or pet in a vehicle unattended for any length of time. Rolling windows down or parking in the shade does little to change the vehicle’s interior temperature.  
• Make it a habit to check your entire vehicle — especially the back seat — before locking the doors and walking away.   
• Ask your childcare provider to call if your child doesn’t show up for care as expected.   
• Place a personal item like a purse or briefcase in the back seat, as another reminder to look before you lock. Write a note or place a stuffed animal in the passenger’s seat to remind you that a child is in the back seat.  
• Store car keys out of a child’s reach and teach children that a vehicle is not a play area.

Everyone should: 

• Always lock your car when you aren’t using it. Even if you don’t have a child of your own, a child in your neighborhood could get into your unlocked vehicle.
• Act immediately if you see a child or pet in a hot car and believe they are in imminent danger of physical injury or death.
• Call 911.  
• Determine if the vehicle is locked.
• If unlocked, open a door to enter the vehicle.
• If locked, you may break the window. Do not use more force than is necessary.
• Remain with the child or pet until the authorities arrive.