OCALA, FL (352today.com) – More than 1,010 children have died from heatstroke in hot cars over the past 25 years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA.gov). These tragedies are heartbreaking – and preventable. With the summer heat approaching in Marion County, local families are urged to stay alert and take steps to protect children from vehicular heatstroke.

May 1 is National Heatstroke Prevention Day, a nationwide effort to raise awareness and promote simple safety habits that can save lives.

Why Heatstroke Happens So Fast

  • A child’s body heats up three to five times faster than an adult’s, according to NHTSA.
  • Heatstroke begins when the body’s core temperature reaches 104°F.
  • Death can occur when that temperature hits 107°F or higher.
  • Even parking in the shade or cracking windows does little to slow the rise in temperature inside a vehicle.

In 2024, 39 children in the U.S. died from heatstroke in vehicles – a 35% increase from 2023.

For Parents and Caregivers: Habits That Save Lives

NHTSA recommends the following:

  • Never leave a child in a vehicle unattended. Not even for a minute.
  • Check the back seat every time. More than half of all heatstroke deaths happen when a child is forgotten.
  • Ask your childcare provider to call if your child doesn’t arrive as expected.
  • Use reminders. Place a purse, briefcase, or even a stuffed animal in the front seat to help you remember there’s a child in the back.
  • Lock car doors and keep keys out of reach. Teach kids that vehicles are not play spaces.

What Bystanders Can Do

  • Lock unattended vehicles to prevent children from climbing in and becoming trapped.
  • If you see a child alone in a car, call 911 immediately. If the child appears to be in distress, remove them as quickly and safely as possible and begin cooling efforts.
  • According to NHTSA, over 230 children have died since 1998 after entering unlocked vehicles on their own.

Community Awareness Saves Lives

NHTSA emphasizes that heatstroke tragedies can happen to anyone – but they are always preventable. Whether you’re a parent, neighbor, or passerby, taking just a moment to act could save a child’s life.

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