UNITED STATES — A heartbreaking surge in hot car fatalities has claimed the lives of at least five babies in the U.S. within the last eight days, bringing the nationwide total to at least 12 this year. The most recent tragedy occurred on June 29th in Bakersfield, California, involving a one-year-old.
Kids and Car Safety, a leading national nonprofit dedicated to preventing child injuries and deaths in and around vehicles, is issuing an urgent plea for heightened vigilance as families approach the busy Fourth of July holiday weekend. Data consistently shows a disturbing increase in vehicle-related child tragedies following long holidays, often attributed to disruptions in routine, leading to children being unknowingly left behind.
The five recent fatalities include:
- June 29, 2025: Bakersfield, CA (1 year old)
- June 28, 2025: Mission, TX (3 months old)
- June 27, 2025: Brownsville, TX (4 years old)
- June 26, 2025: Mansfield, OH (5 years old)
- June 22, 2025: Metter, GA (4 years old)
Since 1990, at least 1,137 children have died in hot cars nationwide, with another 7,500 surviving with various injuries, according to Kids and Car Safety data. A staggering 88% of these victims are aged three or younger, and in the majority of cases (55%), they were unknowingly left by otherwise loving and responsible caregivers.
Call for Action on Occupant Detection Technology:
Despite the availability of technology capable of preventing these unthinkable tragedies, a federally mandated safety standard for rear seat occupant detection technology in all new cars is more than a year and a half overdue. A provision passed in November 2021 as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act required the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to issue this regulation by November 2023.
On May 1st, grieving families sent a poignant letter to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Duffy, urging the immediate issuance of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for this life-saving technology.
“We are committed to the push for occupant detection technology in all cars immediately. As we continue our advocacy, children continue to die week after week. It is beyond heartbreaking,” stated Janette Fennell, founder and president of Kids and Car Safety. “Automakers do not have to wait for the final regulation to be issued requiring technology; they can add occupant detection technology to their vehicles today.”
Safety Tips for Parents and Caregivers:
Kids and Car Safety emphasizes that most parents believe a hot car tragedy could never happen to them, highlighting the need for widespread education. They recommend simple habits to safeguard children:
To ensure your child is never left alone in a car:
- Place the child’s diaper bag or a crucial item (like a laptop, phone, or work badge) in the front passenger seat as a visual reminder.
- Make it a habit to open the back door every single time you park.
- Ask your childcare provider to call you immediately if your child doesn’t arrive as scheduled.
- Clearly communicate and confirm who is responsible for removing each child from the vehicle.
To prevent children from getting into a parked car unnoticed:
- Keep vehicles locked at all times, including those in garages or driveways.
- Never leave car keys within reach of children.
- Utilize childproofing knob covers and door alarms to prevent unsupervised exits from your home.
- Teach children to honk the horn or turn on hazard lights if they become trapped inside a car.
- If a child is missing, immediately check the inside, floorboards, and trunk of all vehicles in the area, even if they are locked.
For more information and resources on hot car dangers, visit https://www.kidsandcars.org/how-kids-get-hurt/heat-stroke/.
