Politics & Government

Children Dying in Hot Cars: Safety Advocates Take to Twitter, Facebook on Wednesday

Today is National Heatstroke Prevention Day. Follow the conversation on social media by searching for the hashtag #heatstroke.

By Jason Spencer

Tragically, babies dying in hot cars is more common than anyone would like to think — and the parents involved have come from all different walks of life.

At least 24 children have died due to heatstroke already in 2013, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA.

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One of them was only eight months old when his mother allegedly forgot about him and left him in a car in Ballston for six hours earlier this month. That evening, when the child was pronounced dead at the hospital, his temperature was still 108 degrees.

Even with the forecast calling for days in the low 80s, the temperature inside a vehicle can reach deadly levels in 10 minutes, according to the NHTSA. Children under four are at the greatest risk for suffering heat-related illnesses or death.

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Wednesday, NHTSA and safety advocates will post information on social media about child heatstrokes — and how to avoid them — every hour on the hour from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

You can join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter or follow the hashtag #heatstroke.

To learn more about NHTSA’s “Where’s Baby? Look Before You Lock” campaign, visit www.SaferCar.gov/heatstroke.

To learn more about Safe Kids’ “Never Leave Your Child Alone in a Car” campaign, visit www.safekids.org/heatstroke.



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