Hot car deaths reach 10 in 2024, highlight increased risk amid intense heat

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.

As much of the nation deals with sweltering conditions, officials are warning of the dangers of leaving children and pets in hot vehicles. The temperature inside 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, according to Kids and Car Safety, an organization dedicated to preventing these tragedies.

In the latest heartbreaking incident, a 5-year-old boy died after being left inside an SUV in Omaha, Nebraska. "Officers were called at 5:11 p.m. Wednesday to a beauty salon parking lot. Lt Neal Nonacci told the Omaha World-Herald that someone saw the boy and contacted police," The Associated Press reported.

This is at least the 10th child to die in a hot car nationwide this year and the 1st in Nebraska, according to Kids and Car Safety, which says three additional child fatalities - as highlighted in the map below - are likely hot car deaths pending autopsy results.

An Arizona girl died Tuesday after she was found unresponsive in a hot car amid record-breaking temperatures in the state. The 2-year-old girl's father reportedly told police that he left her in the car with the air conditioner on. When he returned, the vehicle was off, and she was unresponsive, leading him to call 911, local affiliate Fox 19 reported. This marks the first hot car death in Arizona this year.

In another incident Sunday, a 2-year-old boy lost his life after being left inside a vehicle in Little Rock, Arkansas. According to CBS News, the boy and three siblings were left in the car while their parents took another child into a hospital for "urgent medical treatment." The couple has been charged with capital murder following the death of their son and has pleaded not guilty.

Heatstroke can start when the body reaches a core temperature of 104 degrees. 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.