Overview

• ADAC tests show cabin temperatures climb rapidly even in moderate heat, exceeding 37.7°C after 10 minutes at 27°C outside and posing health risks within minutes at around 20°C.
• Infants and young children lack mature sweat glands and have smaller surface area while dogs can only pant efficiently below about 28°C, making both especially vulnerable to heatstroke.
• German law treats leaving children in hot cars as bodily harm or child abuse and leaving dogs as animal cruelty, exposing caregivers to fines or prison sentences.
• Under §34 StGB bystanders may break car windows in documented emergencies if they notify police and use proportionate force to rescue children or pets.
• Safety guidelines recommend never leaving vulnerable occupants alone, choosing shaded parking, using sunshades, ventilating before entry and engaging air conditioning while automakers test rear-seat reminders and occupancy sensors.