Hot car deaths: Infant left in hot car dies in Illinois

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.

Tragically, a 1-month-old boy died after being left inside a vehicle in Peoria, Illinois on Monday. The baby had been dead for at least four hours before he was found, Peoria officials told local news media, CIProud.

“I can’t sugarcoat it. Those are the facts. There is no silver lining,” Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood said. “I’ve been on the job for eight years and very few things have made me that upset and hit me like that,” he added.

Temperatures in Peoria on Sept. 16 hit a high of 89 F.

This latest death brings this year's death toll in the United States to at least 34 children, which is more than last year's total of 29, according to Kids and Car Safety. The highest number of deaths occurred in 2018 with 54 reports.

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.

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.