Latest news with #KidsandCarSafety
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Child dies in Louisiana after being left in car amid hot weather
A 21-month-old girl died Sunday after being left alone inside a vehicle in Louisiana over the weekend, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office confirmed. Joseph Boatman of Hammond, Louisiana, has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder, according to the sheriff's office. Boatman picked up his daughter from a family member around 2:30 a.m. Sunday, and left her strapped in her car seat while he went inside his residence. The child was inside the vehicle for over nine hours and was unresponsive when sheriff's deputies arrived at the scene around midday Sunday. Temperatures in the area were in the 80s throughout Sunday morning, with AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures in the 90s. Temperatures were likely significantly higher in the vehicle where the glass windows create a greenhouse effect. Hammond is located about 45 miles northwest of New Orleans. "This is a devastating loss that no family ever wants to face," Sheriff Randy Smith said in a press release. "This case involved compromised judgment, and the result was heartbreaking." The incident is at least the fifth child to die in a hot car in the United States so far in 2025, according to Kids and Car Safety. Since 1990, over 1,100 children have died in hot cars across the country. The vast majority of the victims, nearly 9 in 10, are under the age of 3. In over half of all fatal cases, children were unknowingly left behind by a parent or caregiver. Experts stress that it can happen to anyone, regardless of routine, background or intentions.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
1-year-old boy in New Mexico becomes 4th child to die in a hot car in 2025
A 1-year-old boy died after being left inside a hot truck in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Sunday, authorities have confirmed. Investigators say the child had been placed in the care of a relative around 10:30 a.m. and was later found unresponsive around 5 p.m. Police believe the child was left in the vehicle during that time. The relative, a young adult male, is not currently facing charges. "It was a surprise to everyone that this happened kind of early in the year, when it's not even quite so hot," Albuquerque Police Public Information Officer Gilbert Gallegos told KOB4. "That goes to show it doesn't have to be that hot for when you close the windows in a car, so an adult or a child can suffer consequences pretty quickly." The National Weather Service estimated that the temperature inside the truck may have exceeded 200 degrees Fahrenheit, according to KOB4. That estimate was based on the six hours the child was possibly inside the truck and how quickly heat can build in an enclosed vehicle. Temperatures in Albuquerque reached as high as 83 degrees Fahrenheit on Sunday. The incident marks at least the fourth child to die in a hot car in the United States so far this year, according to Kids and Car Safety. On May 13, a California father was arrested after his 6-year-old son died in a hot car in Bakersfield. Two other hot car deaths were reported in March. All four incidents highlight the persistent and deadly danger of heat inside vehicles, even in spring when outside temperatures may not seem extreme. Since 1990, at least 1,127 children have died in hot cars nationwide, and more than 7,500 others have survived with injuries ranging from mild to severe, according to data from Kids and Car Safety. The vast majority of victims-nearly 9 in 10-are under the age of 3. In over half of all fatal cases, children were unknowingly left behind by a parent or caregiver. Experts stress that it can happen to anyone, regardless of routine, background or intentions. The inside of a car can heat up much faster than most people realize, even if the windows are cracked. In just 10 minutes, the temperature inside can soar to dangerous levels, with about 80% of that heat buildup happening in those first few minutes, according to Kids and Car Safety. Cracking the windows doesn't make a meaningful difference; it doesn't slow the heating process or lower the final temperature. In fact, children have died from heatstroke in cars when it was only 60 degrees outside. That's because a child's body overheats three to five times faster than an adult's, making them especially vulnerable. You can find more information on the danger of hot cars for children here.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
3 children have died in hot cars so far this year. Tips to prevent these tragedies in Florida
Temperatures are rising in Florida this week and into early next week. The heat wave could bring near record-high temperatures to several cities across the Sunshine State so now is a perfect time to remind everyone of the dangers of leaving children unattended in a car. Already, three children have died in 2025, ranging in age from 4 months to 6 years. "On average nearly 40 children die in hot cars every year in the United States. That's approximately one every nine days," Kids and Car Safety said. "Since 1990, at least 1,127 children have died in hot cars in the United States and at least another 7,500 survived with varying degrees of injury," according to data compiled by Kids and Car Safety. It doesn't take a heat wave for an unattended child or baby to die in a hot car. The first death of the year was a 4-month old boy who was unknowingly left in a car in March. Two more deaths occurred in May. Reported deaths this year, according to data compiled by Kids and Car Safety: March 18, 2025 Lakewood, New Jersey 4-month old boy, unknowingly left in vehicle May 7, 2025 Silver Spring, Maryland 2-year-old girl, unknowingly left in vehicle May 10, 2025 Paso Robles, California 6-year-old boy left in vehicle In 2024, 40 children died in hot cars, including four in Florida. Ages ranged from one month to 8 years, according to Kids and Care Safety. Florida deaths occurred: Nov. 6, 2024 St. Petersburg 1-year-old boy was unknowingly left in a vehicle Nov. 1, 2024 Sumter County 1-year-old was unknowingly left in a vehicle June 7, 2024 Indialantic 3-year-old boy was left in a vehicle May 20, 2024 Bradenton 6-year-old girl knowingly left in a vehicle Leaving a child younger than 6 unsupervised in a motor vehicle for more than 15 minutes is a second-degree misdemeanor, according to Florida Statutes. If the motor is running, the health of the child is in danger or appears to be in distress, the caregiver can be fined from $50 to $500. Any person who violates the law and in so doing causes great bodily harm, permanent disability, orpermanent disfigurement to a child commits a felony of the third degree. "The majority of parents and caregivers are misinformed and would like to believe that a hot car tragedy will never happen to them," Kids and Care Safety said on its website. "It can happen to anyone. "In over half of hot car deaths, the person responsible for the child unknowingly left them in the vehicle. In most situations, this happens to loving, caring, and protective parents. It has happened to a teacher, dentist, social worker, police officer, nurse, clergyman, soldier, and even a rocket scientist." "On average nearly 40 children die in hot cars every year in the United States. That's approximately one every nine days," Kids and Car Safety said. "Eighty-eight percent of children who have died in a hot car are age 3 and younger. Rear-facing child safety seats do not look any different to the driver if they are occupied or empty, which can cause a parent to lose awareness of them in the back seat. "Approximately 43% of children who were unknowingly left were supposed to be dropped off at childcare." "The inside of a vehicle heats up VERY quickly. Even with the windows cracked, the temperature inside a car canreach 125 degrees in minutes," Kids and Care Safety said. 80% of the increase in inside temperature happens in the first 10 minutes. Cracking the windows does not help slow the heating process or decrease the maximum temperature. Children have died from heatstroke in cars when outside temperatures were as low as 60 degrees. Research has shown vehicles become dangerously hot quickly, even when the outside temperature is moderate. With an outside ambient air temperature of 72 degrees, the internal vehicle temperature can reach 117 within 60 minutes, with 80% of the temperature increase occurring in the first 30 minutes, the National Safety Council said. Interior vehicle temperatures can be 50 degrees higher than outside temperatures. Even on a cool day when the outside temperature is 61, within an hour, the inside temperature of a car reached more than 105, according to Consumer Reports. On a 72-degree day, a car's interior can be deadly in less than 30 minutes, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. The danger from high temperatures is particularly acute for young children because their bodies heat up three to five times faster than adult bodies, the American Academy of Pediatrics said. Heatstroke in children can happen when their core temperature reaches about 104 degrees. A child can die if their internal body temperature reaches 107 degrees, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, signs of heatstroke that require immediate medical attention include: shock collapse a temperature over 104 degrees fainting seizures not being able to walk "Before severe heatstroke, children in hot cars suffer from heat illness symptoms, including weakness, dizziness, nausea, feeling faint, headache and an increased body temperature." Kids and Car Safety provided these suggestions to prevent children from being forgotten in hot cars: Place the child's diaper bag or item in the front passenger seat as a visual cue that the child is with you. Make it a habit of opening the back door every time you park to ensure no one is left behind. To enforce thishabit, place an item that you can't start your day without in the back seat (employee badge, laptop, phone,handbag, etc.) Ask your childcare provider to call you right away if your child hasn't arrived as scheduled. Clearly announce and confirm who is getting each child out of the vehicle. Miscommunication can lead tothinking someone else removed the child. Keep vehicles locked at all times, especially in the garage or driveway. Ask neighbors and visitors to do the same. Never leave car keys within reach of children. Use childproofing knob covers and door alarms to prevent children from exiting your home unnoticed. Teach children to honk the horn or turn on hazard lights if they become stuck inside a car. If a child is missing, immediately check the inside, floorboards and trunk of all vehicles in the area carefully, even if they're locked. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Child hot-car deaths US, Florida. Prevention, tips
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Deaths of at least 2 children in US believed to be hot-car related in 2025. Summer hasn't even started yet
WASHINGTON – As temperatures rise and summer approaches, advocacy groups are sounding the alarm about an annual and deadly danger: children left alone in hot cars. Already in 2025, authorities in at least two jurisdictions are investigating whether extreme temperatures played a role in the deaths of children who were left alone for hours in vehicles. According to data from 39 children died from heat-related issues in 2024 - an increase of 35% from the previous year. While the number is lower than the record-setting years of 2018 and 2019, which saw 53 deaths each, the trend remains concerning. According to the advocacy group Kids and Car Safety, a child's body heats up three to five times faster than an adult's, making young children particularly vulnerable to heatstroke. Even on days that don't feel especially hot, temperatures inside a closed vehicle can soar to deadly levels in a matter of minutes. For example, on a day when the outside temperature is just 70 degrees, the interior of a vehicle can reach 100 degrees in about 20 minutes. According to experts, a vehicle's interior can heat up by around 40 degrees in an hour if there is no air circulation. Minutes Matter: What You Should Do If You See A Child Locked In A Hot Car Heat illnesses happen when the body generates more heat than it can release. A core body temperature of 104 degrees or higher, combined with the absence of sweating, are telltale signs of heatstroke, according to Children's Health. Since 1990, heat-related incidents involving vehicles have claimed the lives of more than 1,125 children, prompting renewed calls for action to stop what advocates say are entirely preventable tragedies. In a letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation, families from across the country urged federal authorities to mandate the use of occupant detection technology in all new vehicles. "After more than two decades of public education, children are still dying at alarming and record-breaking rates," said Janette Fennell, founder and president of Kids and Car Safety. "We know what works. Technology can—and must—be an essential part of the solution." Significant Heat Wave Expected Across Texas Could Break All-time May Records Occupant detection systems utilize a range of technologies, including motion sensors, lidar and carbon dioxide monitoring, to detect the presence of a human or pet in the vehicle after it has been turned off. If a living being is detected, the system alerts the driver or notifies emergency services through a series of safety features. Advocates emphasize that many modern vehicles already come equipped with alert systems for tire pressure, oil changes, seat belts and other monitoring functions, so including technology to detect a child or pet is likely not an excessively complex addition. How To Watch Fox Weather According to most hot car deaths occur when a caregiver forgets a child inside, with only a small number of cases involving intentional acts. If you encounter a child or adult suffering from a heat-related illness, you are urged to call 911 immediately. While waiting for emergency services, move the person into a shaded area or indoors to help stabilize their article source: Deaths of at least 2 children in US believed to be hot-car related in 2025. Summer hasn't even started yet
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
California father arrested after 6-year-old son dies in hot car
A 6-year-old boy died after being left inside a vehicle amid record-breaking temperatures over the weekend in Paso Robles, California, authorities have confirmed. The city is 200 miles up the Pacific Coast from Los Angeles. Police said they were notified of the child's death shortly before 6 p.m. Saturday evening. Detectives believe the boy's father, 27-year-old Briant ReyesEstrada, had parked his vehicle in the lot at the Paso Robles Inn for several hours before he brought the child to Twin Cities Hospital in Templeton, where the boy was pronounced dead. The temperature reached a high of 99 degrees Fahrenheit in Paso Robles on Saturday. ReyesEstrada was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder and willful harm or injury to a child likely to produce great bodily injury, according to local media reports. Hotel employees told KSBY that ReyesEstrada had been working at the Paso Robles Inn that day. The incident marks at least the third child to die in a hot car in the United States so far this year, according to Kids and Car Safety. On May 7, a father dropped one child off at school but told police he forgot to drop his 2-year-old off at a babysitter, according to media reports. The child wasn't found until hours later. On March 18, a 4-month-old baby died in Lakewood, New Jersey, after accidentally being left in a car for a few hours when the father of the child forgot to drop the baby off at his babysitter's and instead went to work. All three incidents highlight the persistent and deadly danger of heat inside vehicles, even in spring when outside temperatures may not seem extreme. Since 1990, at least 1,127 children have died in hot cars nationwide, and more than 7,500 others have survived with injuries ranging from mild to severe, according to data from Kids and Car Safety. The vast majority of victims-nearly 9 in 10-are under the age of 3. In over half of all fatal cases, children were unknowingly left behind by a parent or caregiver. Experts stress that it can happen to anyone, regardless of routine, background or intentions. The inside of a car can heat up much faster than most people realize, even if the windows are cracked. In just 10 minutes, the temperature inside can soar to dangerous levels, with about 80% of that heat buildup happening in those first few minutes, according to Kids and Car Safety. Cracking the windows doesn't make a meaningful difference; it doesn't slow the heating process or lower the final temperature. In fact, children have died from heatstroke in cars when it was only 60 degrees outside. That's because a child's body overheats three to five times faster than an adult's, making them especially vulnerable, even on mild days. You can find more information on the danger of hot cars for children here.
