A Sudden Increase in Child Fatalities Due to Hot Cars Prompts Urgent Alerts | Carscoops

      Many new vehicles are equipped with rear-seat occupancy alerts designed to help prevent fatalities like these.

      

      Last year, 39 children in the United States died after being left in hot vehicles.

      At least one child is killed each year in temperatures below 80 degrees.

      On warm days, the interior of a car can reach over 140 degrees.

      Numerous automotive manufacturers have been working to reduce child deaths in hot cars in recent years, but alarming new data indicates a significant 35% increase in these incidents across the US last year. This has led the American Automobile Association to call for parents and caregivers to remain vigilant when driving with children in the back seat.

      According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 39 children died in hot cars across the United States in 2024. This marks a substantial rise from the 29 deaths recorded in 2023 and exceeds the annual average of 37. AAA emphasizes the need for parents to be cautious in even mild conditions.

      Last year, a two-month-old child died on a 77-degree day. At least one child has succumbed to heatstroke in each of the last 11 years when temperatures ranged from 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, highlighting the rapid increase in a car's temperature. On a typical 80-degree summer day, it only takes 10 minutes for the inside of an average car to reach 100 degrees, and it can hit 109 degrees in just 20 minutes.

      Conditions are even more severe on hotter days, allowing car interiors to soar above 140 degrees. At such temperatures, merely cracking a window is insufficient.

      The rise in hot car fatalities over the past year occurs despite many new vehicles being equipped with standard rear seat alert reminders intended to prompt drivers to check the back seats before leaving the car.

      The AAA reports that more than 52% of recent hot car fatalities are due to caregivers completely forgetting that a child is in the vehicle. Additionally, 22% result from caregivers consciously leaving a child inside, often while running a quick errand. Perhaps most disheartening is that nearly 25% of hot car deaths stem from children gaining access to a vehicle unnoticed and becoming trapped inside.

      Parents and guardians are being encouraged to check their cars before departing. A helpful reminder to check the backseat is to leave a personal item, such as a purse or wallet, in that area. Furthermore, it is crucial to keep your car locked to prevent a child from climbing inside without your awareness.