The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, is urging the public to take measures to prevent child heatstroke deaths in vehicles. This call to action coincides with National Heatstroke Prevention Day, observed on May 1.
In 2024, 39 children died from heatstroke in vehicles, up from 29 in 2023. To date, one child has died this year due to being left in a hot vehicle. Heatstroke remains a leading cause of non-crash vehicle-related fatalities among children, accounting for over 1,000 deaths since 1998 in the U.S. On average, one child dies from heatstroke every 10 days due to being left in or crawling into a vehicle.
"As a father to nine, I know just how hard it can be to keep track of your little ones 24/7," said Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. "But there is no excuse for leaving a child in a parked vehicle. Every parent, sibling, relative, and babysitter needs to understand the severity of doing so – it's the only way we can prevent more of these heartbreaking losses of life."
NHTSA Chief Counsel Peter Simshauser noted, "No one ever expects to forget their child in a vehicle, but the unfortunate reality is that it can happen to anyone. Every one of these tragedies is preventable, and we urge parents and caregivers to make it a habit to Stop. Look. Lock. every time they exit their car to prevent these devastating tragedies. And if you see a child left alone in a car, call 911 immediately – you could save a life."
Vehicles can heat up rapidly, reaching dangerous temperatures within minutes. Even on a cool day, a child's body warms three to five times faster than an adult's, making them vulnerable to heat-related distress. Measures such as cracking windows or parking in the shade provide little protection.
The NHTSA offers several tips to prevent such incidents:
- Always lock your vehicle, even if you don't have any children, to prevent neighborhood children from entering.
- Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle, regardless of the expected duration of your absence.
- Get into the habit of checking the entire vehicle, especially the back seat, before leaving the car.
- Request that childcare providers or schools call if a child does not arrive as expected.
- Educate children that vehicles are not play areas and keep keys out of reach.
- If you spot a child alone in a vehicle, act by calling 911 immediately and ensuring the child is removed and cooled as fast as possible.
For additional information, NHTSA directs individuals to visit NHTSA.gov/Heatstroke and TrafficSafetyMarketing.gov.
