Texas health officials are urging increased caution after four children died in hot cars within a two-week period, surpassing the total number of such deaths recorded in the state for all of 2024. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) issued the warning following these incidents.
The Texas Heatstroke Taskforce reports that as of July 9, there have been 15 hot car deaths involving children across the United States this year.
“The heatstroke death of a child is a tragedy too often repeated in our state,” said DSHS Commissioner Jennifer A. Shuford, MD, MPH. “The temperature inside a vehicle can rise nearly 20 degrees in 10 minutes, and heatstroke will occur when a child’s body can’t cool itself quickly enough. Children – and pets – should never be left in the car for any length of time.”
Heatstroke suffered while trapped in parked vehicles is now the second-leading cause of vehicle-related fatalities among children under age 15, behind only car crashes. Causes include caregivers forgetting children in cars, children entering vehicles unnoticed and being unable to exit, or adults intentionally leaving them inside without realizing how quickly temperatures can become dangerous. Officials emphasize that cracking windows does not prevent these risks.
DSHS recommends several steps to prevent such tragedies: never leave a child alone in a car even if it is running with air conditioning; always check the back seat before exiting and practice “Look Before You Lock”; use reminders to check for children when arriving at destinations; keep vehicles locked and keys out of reach from children; and immediately call 9-1-1 if you see an unattended child near or inside a vehicle.
For additional information and resources, DSHS encourages visiting their website.
