With summer at its hottest, here's what to know about the danger of kids left in cars

In the past 25 years, nearly 1,000 children have died while trapped inside oven-like cars.

Heatstroke deaths among children left in cars occur most frequently in August. Since 1998, when records started being kept, August accounted for 212 of the 954 deaths, according to NoHeatStroke.org. 

Just in the first half of July, 14 children died after being left in a car – nearly a third of the 38 children under 15 who die annually, according to Jan Null, an adjunct professor of meteorology at San Jose State University.

Every month of the year, even the winter months, has seen a death. “The warmer months are the biggest variable, but in summer months, people’s routines are changed, so that could be a contributor,” Null said.

According to NoHeatstroke.org, a record number of children died in hot cars in 2018 and 2019 – 53 children each year – the most in at least 25 years.

More: Heat waves made hot cars more dangerous.

How annual hot-car deaths compare

Can’t see our graphics? Click to reload.

Hot-car deaths mostly result of accidents

Accidents are the primary cause of heatstroke fatalities, according to NoHeatStroke.org.

The majority, 53%, take place when parents fail to see their children in the backseat of the car. Another 25% of children got in the car on their own, and about 20% were left there on purpose.

Dangers of summer heat in vehicle

Cars can heat up quickly; interior temperatures can rise 20 degrees in 10 minutes. Even if it’s only in the 60s outside, the temperature inside a car can reach 110 degrees.

Examples of interior heat based on a 95-degree day:

Many parents might think that a cracked or open window provides enough ventilation, but depending on the outside temperature, it may not be enough to reduce unbearable heat.

How heatstroke can kill

Cars transform into ovens when direct sunlight heats objects inside. Temperatures can soar to 120 or 130 degrees even when the outdoor temperature is only in the 80s. The body’s natural cooling methods, such as sweating, begin to shut down once the core body temperature reaches 104 degrees. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, a temperature of 107 degrees is fatal.

A child’s body temperature can increase three to five times faster than an adult’s.

Which states have the most hot-car deaths?

Since 1998, all but three states – Alaska, New Hampshire and Vermont – have seen at least one child death in a hot car. Texas leads all states with 141 since 1998.

How to prevent the death of a child in a hot car

Here’s what NHTSA says you should do to prevent a tragic accident:

• Make it a habit to open the rear door as you get out of the car, and keep anything that you need to start your day in the backseat, such your mobile phone or computer bag.
• Put something that will serve as a visual cue that your child is with you, such a diaper bag, in the front seat.
• Ask your child care providers to call you if your child isn’t dropped off as scheduled, because parents sometimes think they have dropped their child off and go to work, accidentally leaving them in their car seats all day.