Child safety group warns of hot car dangers after spate of infant deaths

Five babies have died in hot cars across the United States over the past eight days, the advocacy group Kids and Car Safety noted as it asked people to be extra vigilant as the Fourth of July holiday weekend approaches.

There’s an increase in vehicle-related tragedies involving children after holiday weekends due to routine changes, the group said.

Since 1990 across the country, 1,137 children have died in hot cars, according to Kids and Car Safety data, and at least another 7,500 survived with varying types and severities of injuries.

The most recent incident happened to a 1-year-old in Bakersfield, Calif. — marking at least the 12th so far in 2025. Other states affected this year include Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas.

In one case, a 5-year-old boy died Thursday after being found unresponsive in a vehicle during extreme heat in Mansfield, Ohio, police said.

Approximately 88% of children who die in hot cars are age 3 or younger and the majority (55%) were unknowingly left by an otherwise loving, responsible parent or caregiver, according to the nonprofit.

Parents and caregivers can keep children safe by following these guidelines, according to Kids and Car Safety:

• Never leave a child alone in a car
• Place the child’s diaper bag or other item in the front passenger seat as a reminder a child is with you
• Create a habit of opening the back door every time you park to make sure no child is left behind (keep an item you can’t go without in the back seat like an employee badge, laptop, phone or purse)
• Ask your childcare provider to call immediately if your child doesn’t arrive as scheduled
• Confirm who is getting each child out of the vehicle, as miscommunication could lead to an incident
• Teach children to honk the horn or turn on hazard lights if they become stuck inside a car

Additionally, the nonprofit said to keep vehicles locked at all times to make sure children cannot get into a parked car. Car keys should not be in reach of children.

If a child is missing, people should immediately check inside the car, including the trunk and floorboards carefully — even if they’re locked.