HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — As we head into the heart of summer, it's important to practice safe car safety, especially when it comes to leaving things behind. 915 total deaths have been reported since 1998. 23 children succumbed to hot car conditions last year. So far this year, 8 deaths have been reported from heatstroke after being left in a hot vehicle.
Deaths reported in 2022 (as of July 1) from heatstroke after being left in a hot car:
- Snellville, GA: the temperature was 87 and the child was 8 months old
- Memphis, TN: the outside temperature was 90 and the child was 1 year old
- Houston, TX: the outside temperature was 90 and the child was 10 months old
- Upper St. Clair, PA: the outside temperature was 91 and the child was 3 months old
- Harris County, TX: the outside temperature was 98 and the child was 5 years old
- Columbus, GA: the outside temperature was 95 and the child was 3 years old
- Chesterfield County, VA: the outside temperature was 80 and the child was 18 months old
- Danielsville, GA: the outside temperature was 91 and the child was 1 year old
Nearly every state within the United States has experienced at least one death since 1998. The only states that haven't? Alaska, Vermont, and New Hampshire. Texas takes the lead in hot car deaths totaling 136. In both 2018 and 2019, a record number of 53 children died after being left in hot vehicles. Alabama has a total number of 29 deaths.
Circumstances of hot car deaths:
- 52.59% were forgotten by caregiver (477)
- 25.80% gained their own access to the vehicle (234)
- 20.07% were knowingly left by the caregiver (182)
- 1.54% unknown circumstance (14)