More Than 1,170 Children Dead in Hot Cars Since 1990, Safety Group Says
Experts say stress and lack of sleep can disrupt memory, and with a quiet child in a rear-facing seat, this can lead to a tragic mistake—one that is entirely preventable. You always want to have something to jog your memory–such as leaving the diaper bag up front before arriving at Day Care. You can also leave personal belongings in the back–items you need when you reach your destination. The organization’s website–kidsandcars.org– includes all sorts of information and different types of educational materials you can download for free and print. They encourage passing those materials on to family members and others. You’ll find that information at TalkofDelmarva.com.
She says that as of today, May 1st, more than 1,173 children have died in hot cars since 1990. In addition, at least 7,500 more have survived with a range of injuries, many of which have been life-altering.
Additional Information from Kids and Car Safety
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On National Heatstroke Prevention Day, Kids and Car Safety is raising awareness and calling for immediate action to prevent hot car tragedies. With children continuing to lose their lives each year, the organization is urging families, caregivers, and communities to take simple, proactive steps and embrace available technologies that can help prevent these entirely avoidable deaths, along with raising public awareness. “After almost three decades of public education, children are still dying at alarming and devastating rates. We know what works. Technology can, and must, be an essential part of the solution,” said Janette Fennell, founder and president of Kids and Car Safety. The numbers remain staggering. More than 1,173 children have died in hot cars since 1990, as of May 1, 2026. Additionally, at least 7,500 more have survived with a range of injuries, many life-altering.* “Hot car tragedies are every parent’s worst nightmare. And they don’t happen because someone didn’t love their child enough,” Fennell continued. “They happen because we’re human, and even the strongest love can’t compete with the limits of human memory.” Most of us rely on reminders to get through the day, calendar alerts, phone notifications, and built-in prompts. Our vehicles already use similar technology, including alerts if headlights are left on, reminders for oil changes and tire pressure, and warnings for low fuel or unbuckled seat belts. If we use these systems to protect our vehicles, why not our children? Neuroscience confirms that memory cannot be trained to never forget. When what’s forgotten is a sleeping baby in the back seat, the consequences can be catastrophic and entirely preventable. |
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To amplify this message, Kids and Car Safety, along with Safe Kids Worldwide, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Baby Safety Alliance, Team Protect, and other safety partners, are urging immediate federal action while continuing to educate families nationwide. You can help by sharing our materials on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, newsletters, and blogs, and by joining the conversation using these sample posts:
While the fight for a federal safety regulation continues, families are encouraged to adopt Look Before You Lock habits to build lifesaving routines. One simple strategy: Keep a stuffed animal in your child’s car seat. Move the toy to the front seat as a visual reminder every time you buckle them in. The stuffed animal is a visual reminder to the driver whenever they are traveling with their baby. It costs nothing, but could save everything. “Every day that passes without action puts more children at risk. This is a national crisis with a known solution,” said Fennell. “It’s time to use the technology that’s already in our hands.”
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