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Sharp Increase in Child Deaths in Hot Cars Triggers Urgent Warnings

Hot Car Tragedies: Statistics and Advice

In 2024, 39 cases of child deaths were recorded in the USA after they were left in heated cars. This is 35% more than the previous year, when 29 similar incidents occurred. Even in moderate weather, the temperature inside a car can reach deadly levels. For example, last year, a two-month-old baby died when it was only 77 degrees Fahrenheit outside.

On a typical summer day with a temperature of 80 degrees, the interior of a car heats up to 100 degrees in just 10 minutes.

On hot days, the situation is even more dangerous – the temperature inside the car can exceed 140 degrees. Even an open window will not help in such conditions. Most tragedies (52%) occur because adults forget about the child in the car. Another 22% of cases are related to conscious decisions to leave the baby “just for a minute”.

How to Prevent a Tragedy

Experts advise always checking the back seat before exiting the car. An effective method is to place personal items there, such as a wallet or bag. It is also important to always lock the doors so that children cannot get into the car on their own.

Although many modern cars are equipped with rear seat passenger warning systems, statistics show that technology cannot fully replace adult attentiveness. It is especially striking that over the past 11 years, at least one case of a child’s death has been recorded each year at temperatures below 80 degrees.

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