Some of the most tragic cases we have worked on here at Zarzaur Law are those involving the deaths of children from what are known as “hot car” cases. A child is left in the back seat — typically by a caregiver — or the child independently accesses a vehicle without a parent or caregiver noticing, and for whatever reason cannot exit. According to the National Safety Center Council while the majority of these tragedies occur during the summer, deaths have been recorded every month.
What is important to understand is that, when temperatures are high, it can take only several minutes for the interior of a vehicle to become fatal to a child.
By the Numbers: Hot Cars & Children
- More than 1,170 children have died in hot cars in the United States since 1990.
- On average, roughly 38 children die from vehicular heatstroke every year — about one child every nine days.
- 31 children died in 2025; 39 children died in 2024.
- Approximately 88% of victims are 3 years old or younger.
- About 52% of these deaths happen because a caregiver unknowingly forgot a child in the vehicle.
- A parked car’s interior can rise by 20°F in just 10 minutes — even on a 60° day, a child can die in a closed vehicle.
- A child’s body temperature rises 3 to 5 times faster than an adult’s.
Florida is consistently among the top 10 states for pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths.
How Quickly a Car Becomes Dangerous
You may think, “I’m just going to run into the store real quick. I don’t need to keep the air conditioner running.” And of course, it is not safe to leave the car running with a child inside either — a child can hit the gear shift, put the vehicle in drive, and the car can take off.
But here is the problem: even just a few minutes inside a closed vehicle can be more than enough time, depending on the temperature outside, to cause a temperature elevation severe enough to injure or kill a child. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration warns that a vehicle’s interior can rise by about 20°F in as little as 10 minutes, and a child’s body heats up three to five times faster than an adult’s. Heatstroke begins around a core body temperature of 104°F; death can occur at 107°F or above.
It is always better never to leave a child unattended in a vehicle — not even intentionally, not even for a moment.
When Someone Else Is Caring for Your Child
Many of these tragedies happen when a caregiver is responsible for your child in your absence. There are ways to reduce that risk.
First, know whether your caregiver will be transporting your child anywhere. If they will be, have a direct conversation with that caregiver about how dangerous it is to leave a child in a hot car. Make sure they understand that this is a very real risk, not a theoretical one.
Choosing a Child Care or Transportation Facility
If you are taking your child to a facility — a daycare, summer camp, after-school program, or anywhere transportation is part of the program — you need to understand exactly what safeguards are in place before you sign up. At minimum, ask:
- Who is in charge of transportation?
- What type of vehicles will be used?
- Where will the children be transported?
- What is the process for counting children entering the vehicle and counting children exiting the vehicle?
- Is that count documented in writing, and are those records kept?
- Who supervises the process?
- Are all drivers and staff held accountable for that responsibility?
Some facilities have policies where one teacher is always at the front of the vehicle and another is always at the back. The teacher at the back does not exit until every child has cleared the vehicle. There are many safe policies and procedures that can be used in a group caregiving environment — especially any setting where more than one or two children are under the supervision of a single caregiver.
This Is the Season to Pay Attention
We are heading into summer here in the Florida Panhandle, and this is the time to be especially conscious of these risks — particularly if you are placing your child in the care of another person or facility. These deaths are preventable, but prevention requires attention, conversation, and accountability.
If you have any questions about hot car cases, call us at 855-HIRE-JOE.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly can a parked car become deadly for a child?
Faster than most people realize. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that a vehicle’s interior temperature can rise by about 20°F in just 10 minutes. A child’s body heats up three to five times faster than an adult’s, and heatstroke begins around a core body temperature of 104°F. Death can occur at 107°F or above. On a 95° day, the inside of a closed car can exceed 120°F within minutes.
How many children die in hot cars in the United States each year?
On average, about 38 children die from pediatric vehicular heatstroke each year — roughly one child every nine days. Since 1990, more than 1,170 children have died in hot cars nationwide. In 2025, 31 children died; in 2024, 39 children died.
Is it safe to leave a child in the car for “just a minute” while I run inside?
No. There is no safe length of time to leave a child unattended in a vehicle. Cars heat up within minutes, and “just a minute” in the store can easily turn into ten. Beyond heat, an unattended child can be abducted, can put the car in gear, or can become trapped. Take the child with you every time.
Can I just leave the car running with the air conditioner on?
No. A child can hit the gear shift, put the vehicle in drive, and cause a crash. Children can also accidentally turn the AC off, lock the doors, or be in danger from a stranger if the car is unattended and unlocked. Running a vehicle with a child inside and walking away is not a safe workaround.
Can a child really die in a car on a mild day?
Yes. NHTSA has documented heatstroke deaths in vehicles on days as cool as 60°F. Rolling down the windows or parking in the shade does very little to slow how quickly the interior heats up.
Why do parents and caregivers forget children in cars? Is it really that common?
It is. About 52% of pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths happen because a caregiver unknowingly left a child in the vehicle — not out of negligence, but because a change in routine, sleep deprivation, or stress disrupted the brain’s memory cues. Roughly 88% of victims are 3 years old or younger. This can happen to attentive, loving parents, which is why safety habits and reminders matter so much.
What questions should I ask a daycare, camp, or school about their transportation safety?
At minimum: Who is in charge of transportation? What vehicles are used? What is the process for counting children entering and exiting the vehicle? Is that count documented in writing, and are those records kept? Who supervises the process? The safest facilities have a policy where a teacher at the back of the vehicle does not exit until every child has cleared the vehicle.
Which states see the most hot car deaths?
The 10 states with the highest number of pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths are Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia — states with long, hot summers and large populations.
What should I do if I see a child alone in a hot car?
Call 911 immediately. If the child appears to be in distress — unresponsive, sweating heavily, red or flushed — many states have “Good Samaritan” laws that protect a bystander who breaks a window to rescue a child whose life is in danger. Stay with the child until first responders arrive.
Does Zarzaur Law handle cases involving hot car deaths and injuries?
Yes. We have represented families in the Florida Panhandle and beyond in cases involving children harmed in hot cars, including incidents involving daycare and child care transportation providers. If you have questions about a potential case, you can reach our team at via our contact form or by phone at 855-HIRE-JOE.
Stat sources:
NoHeatStroke.org (Jan Null, Department of Geosciences, San José State University),
Kids and Car Safety (kidsandcars.org)
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov)
National Safety Council (injuryfacts.nsc.org)
Figures reflect data current as of May 2026.