← Help in Grant County

A child or adult is left alone in a hot car

Use when you see a child, a vulnerable adult or a pet alone in a parked car on a warm day and they may be in danger from heat.

In danger right now: call 911. Crisis or thoughts of suicide: call or text 988. Not sure where to start? Call the Silver City Gospel Mission: 575-388-5071. Police, fire or sheriff, not an emergency: 575-388-8840 (Central Dispatch). Print our list of phone numbers →
These are the same steps our staff use when they help someone. "They" means the person who needs help: you, or someone you are helping. Go in order, and call ahead when you can.

1Act fast

Call 911 now. Tell them the location, car color, make and license plate.
911 (Grant County Regional Dispatch)
Emergency: police, fire, ambulance
911
Silver City · 24/7
You can ask"Is the person moving? Sweating? Red, hot, or not waking up?"

2While help is coming

Stay with the car. Do what the 911 dispatcher tells you.
Send someone into nearby stores to page or look for the driver.
Try the doors. Sometimes one is unlocked.
If the person is not moving or is very sick and help is not there yet, tell the dispatcher. Ask if you should break a window.

3When they are out of the car

Move them to shade or air conditioning.
Give cool water to sip only if they are awake and can swallow.
Cool them with wet cloths on the neck, armpits and groin. Fan them.
Not awake, or having a seizure? Keep them on their side and wait for EMS.
See the guide "Someone is overheating: heat exhaustion or heat stroke".

4A pet in a hot car

911 (Grant County Regional Dispatch)
Emergency: police, fire, ambulance
911
Silver City · 24/7
Town of Silver City - Code Enforcement / Animal Control
Code enforcement and animal control (report)
575-388-8840
Silver City · 24/7

5Follow up

Give police your name and what you saw. Write down the time.
NM CYFD - Statewide Central Intake
Report child abuse or neglect (#SAFE)
855-333-7233 · 24/7: #SAFE
· 24/7
At the Gospel MissionSeeing this can be upsetting. Peer support counselors are here on weekdays to talk.

This guide is general information only, not medical, legal or other professional advice. Places and rules change, so please call before you go. In an emergency, call 911; in a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Disclaimer

Know a better way? Is something out of date?

If a number or place here is wrong, you know a better resource, or you know a better way to help, tell us. We automatically check reliable sources and update supported routine details. Unclear changes and safety guidance go to our staff for review.

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Print these steps · Find more places to get help · Hours and numbers change; please call ahead. Something wrong? Tell us
Questions, or want someone to walk through this with you? The Silver City Gospel Mission, 111 S. Texas St., Silver City, 575-388-5071, weekdays 9:00am-1:45pm. Everyone is welcome.