Texas health officials are urging adults not to leave children in parked cars after four children died from heatstroke in vehicles over a two-week period. This number surpasses the three hot car deaths reported in all of 2024.
The Texas Heatstroke Taskforce reports that as of July 9, there have been 15 child hot car deaths across the United States this year.
“The heatstroke death of a child is a tragedy too often repeated in our state,” said DSHS Commissioner Jennifer A. Shuford, MD, MPH. “The temperature inside a vehicle can rise nearly 20 degrees in 10 minutes, and heatstroke will occur when a child’s body can’t cool itself quickly enough. Children – and pets – should never be left in the car for any length of time.”
Heatstroke suffered inside parked cars is the second-leading cause of vehicle-related deaths for children under age 15, following only car crashes. Reasons behind these incidents include caregivers forgetting a child is in the vehicle, children entering vehicles unnoticed and being unable to exit, or caregivers knowingly leaving children behind without realizing how quickly temperatures rise. Officials emphasized that cracking windows does not prevent danger.
To help prevent further tragedies, the Department of State Health Services advises adults to always check their back seat before exiting their vehicles and never leave a child alone inside—even if the air conditioning is running. They also recommend keeping cars locked at all times and keys out of reach from children to avoid accidental lock-ins. If a child goes missing, officials suggest checking pools first and then vehicles including trunks.
If anyone sees an unattended child in or around a car, they are urged to call emergency services immediately.
Further information about preventing hot car deaths is available on official public health websites.
