Hot car deaths: 2 dead in 24-hour period, death toll climbs to 27

The inside temperature of a car parked in a sunny spot rockets to dangerous levels in minutes. The rate at which temperatures rise the fastest occurs within the first 10 minutes.

Amid skyrocketing temperatures in the central and southern U.S. states, officials are warning of the dangers of leaving children and pets in hot vehicles.

In the latest tragic incident being reported, a 9-month-old child died after being left inside a vehicle in Beeville, Texas, Wednesday. The day before that, a 1-year-old died in a hot car in Corpus Christi.

At least 27 children have died in a hot car nationwide this year, according to Kids and Car Safety.

The temperature inside a car parked in the sun rockets to dangerous levels in minutes. The rate at which temperatures rise the fastest occurs within the first 10 minutes, according to Kids and Car Safety, an organization dedicated to preventing these tragedies.

Heatstroke can start when the body reaches a core temperature of 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Death can occur at 107 degrees. Because a child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult’s, a hot car can quickly become dangerous. Dogs left in cars face the same risk; their only way to cool down is through sweat glands on their paws or by panting.

Nationwide hot car deaths: A disturbing trend

Hot car deaths continue to be a pressing concern across the country. Since 1990, at least 1,093 children have lost their lives after being left in vehicles, according to KidsAndCarSafety.org. An additional 7,500 children have survived with varying degrees of injuries. Nearly 90% of these victims are 3 years old or younger.

Kids and Car Safety is also monitoring three additional child fatalities pending autopsy results. The organization has tracked hot vehicle deaths for years and is pushing automakers to add more technology to prevent them.

For more resources on preventing hot car deaths, visit the Kids and Car Safety website.