United States – Child safety advocates are urging parents and caregivers to check their back seats every time they leave their vehicles after new data shows at least 14 children have died in hot cars in the United States in 2026.
According to Kids and Car Safety, at least 1,186 children have died in hot vehicles since 1990. The organization says more than half of those deaths occurred after the person responsible for the child unknowingly left them inside the vehicle.
Even on days that don’t seem extremely hot, temperatures inside a parked vehicle can rise rapidly to dangerous levels, creating life-threatening conditions within minutes. Young children are especially vulnerable because their bodies heat up much faster than adults.
Safety experts recommend making it a routine to check the back seat before locking a vehicle. Parents and caregivers can also reduce the risk by placing a personal item, such as a purse, briefcase or phone, in the back seat as a reminder, keeping vehicles locked when not in use, and teaching children that cars are not safe places to play.
Officials emphasize that if someone sees a child alone in a hot vehicle and believes the child is in distress, they should call 911 immediately. Quick action can save a life.
As summer temperatures continue across much of the country, safety organizations hope increased awareness will help prevent additional tragedies and encourage families to adopt simple habits that can make a critical difference.
