Preventing children from being left in hot cars during heat waves

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

As extreme heat continues to affect Mid-Missouri, it's essential to be aware of your surroundings and not forget your children in the car.

So far in 2025, there have 15 child deaths in the U.S., according to the National Safety Council. In 2024, there was a total of 39 child deaths due to being left in hot cars and over half of car deaths happen when the caretaker unknowingly leaves a child in the car.

According to the Missouri Department of Public Safety, an average of 38 die each year, with 88% of them being 3-years-old or younger.

The temperatures inside the car will get hotter than the temperature outside within minutes and cracking the windows does not help slow the heat or cool the car down. A child's body overheats three to five times faster than adults and children have died from heat stroke in cars with outside temperatures as low as 60 degrees.

There are recommendations from officials to help people remember their child is in the car:

• Place a visual clue in the front passenger seat of the car, such as a diaper bag or a toy
• Make a habit of opening the back door every time you get out. According to Kids and Car Safety, to enforce this habit, place an everyday item in the back, such as a backpack, purse, phone, etc.
• Ask your childcare provider to call you immediately if your child hasn't arrived where they need to be on schedule

If you see a child alone in a car, call 911 immediately.