40 Children Have Died in Hot Cars This Year: Tips to Protect Your Little Ones from Heatstroke

Hot Car Deaths in Citrus County: What Florida Parents Need to Know About Heatstroke, Prevention, and the Law

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), pediatric vehicular heatstroke (PVH) deaths continue to be a tragic, and preventable issue. As of 2024, NoHeatstroke.org, reports Florida has recorded 39 child deaths caused by heatstroke after being left or trapped in hot cars. Nationwide, Texas has the highest number of deaths at 147, followed closely by Florida with 114. These two states have the highest rates of vehicle-related heatstroke fatalities.

Citrus County Attorneys Urge Awareness as Data Reveals Alarming Heatstroke Patterns

More than half of vehicular heatstroke cases from 1998 to 2018 were because an adult forgot about a child, according to reports. The trends in these incidents is as follows:

• About 44% of the time, the caregiver meant to drop the child off at daycare or preschool.
• The end of the workweek, Thursdays and Fridays, saw the highest number of deaths.

You may wonder how this happens, but it is an issue that has affected many families. Our Citrus County Wrongful Death Attorneys at Whittel & Melton hope this serves as a reminder to keep you alert, avoid distractions, and put safeguards in place so your child is never left in the back seat.

Safety Tips to Prevent a Child Left in a Hot Car in Florida

In Florida’s extreme heat, the risk of a child being left in a hot car can quickly become a tragedy. Most of hot car deaths occur because the person forgets there is a child in the back seat. To help prevent this, always place an essential item, such as your purse, phone, or wallet, in the back seat, so you’re forced to check the area before exiting your vehicle.

But forgetting is not the only danger. According to NoHeatstroke.org, 26% of deaths are children getting into unattended vehicles, making it the second leading cause of vehicular heatstroke deaths. To avoid this, make it a habit to lock your car doors and trunk at all times, even when parked at home.

It is important to remember that interior vehicle temperatures can rise at an alarming rate. Even when it is just 57ºF outside, a car’s interior can reach 110ºF. In the Florida summer, that number climbs even faster, reaching 125ºF in just 20 minutes, and up to 140ºF within 40 minutes. That’s the temperature increase of more than 45ºF, creating a life-threatening conditions for any child left in a hot car in Florida.

Tips for Keeping Children Out of Cars

All types of vehicular heatstroke deaths are entirely preventable, but the third leading cause of these deaths—knowingly leaving a child—is the most preventable. Never leave a child alone in a parked car, even with the windows rolled down or the air conditioning on. A child’s body temperature can rise three to five times faster than that of an adult.

If you happen to see a child alone in a vehicle:

• Check to see that the child is okay and responsive. If not, call 911 immediately.
• If the child appears to be okay, try to locate the parents or have the facility’s security or management page the car owner over an intercom system.
• If the child is not responsive and appears to be in distress, do everything you can to get to the child, even if it means breaking a window. Just like many states, Florida has “Good Samaritan” laws that protect people from lawsuits for getting involved to help a person in an emergency. According to the Florida Good Samaritan Act, “any person, including those licensed to practice medicine” who willingly, and in good faith, provides emergency care or treatment to another in an emergency situation shall not be liable for any civil damages as a result of such aid or treatment.

Heat stroke can happen relatively quickly in Florida’s climate.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion are:

• Dark urine
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Nausea
• Damp skin
• Headaches

Symptoms of heatstroke are:

• Fever in excess of 104°
• Loss of consciousness
• Rapid shallow breathing
• Weakened pulse
• Seizure
• Irrational behavior or confusion

What’s the Law on Leaving Children Unsupervised in a Vehicle?

Under Florida law, Section 316.6135, “A parent, legal guardian, or other person responsible for a child younger than 6 years of age may not leave the child unattended or unsupervised in a motor vehicle for a period over 15 minutes.”

Children and hot cars can be a lethal combination. Our Citrus County Wrongful Death Attorneys at Whittel & Melton want to remind you never to take chances when it comes to your child’s safety. Tragically, cases involving a child left in a hot car in Florida continue to rise each year. Always check both the front and back seats before locking the vehicle and walking away.

If you or a family member has suffered the loss of a loved one due to a negligent or intentional act, such as leaving a child left unattended in a hot car, we can help you on the path to justice. Our wrongful death lawyers can help you investigate the case and explore your right to claim financial compensation on your child’s behalf.

Please call an Injury Attorney at Whittel & Melton today at 352-666-2121 to learn how we may be able to help you pursue an injury claim. You can also request a free case evaluation by contacting us online.