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CTV News
19-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Anyone could forget a kid in a hot car, research shows
No parent thinks they'd forget their child in a hot car. But the tragic truth is that it can happen to anyone. Since 1998, about 1,024 children have died in hot cars—and more than half of them were left behind unknowingly by their caregiver, according to There have already been 14 hot car deaths among children in the U.S. in 2025 so far, with eight occurring in June alone, the organization says. But recent research highlights that the daily stresses parents face can make these memory lapses more likely. Forgetting a child isn't a negligence problem but a working memory problem, says David Diamond, PhD, a professor of psychology at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Diamond, a leading expert in cognitive neuroscience, has studied the role of memory in such tragedies. 'The most common response is that only bad or negligent parents forget kids in cars,' Diamond says. 'It's a matter of circumstances. It can happen to everyone.' During the summer, many families change their daily routines because of vacations or other reasons, and that disruption is a common factor in these tragic incidents, Diamond's research has found. Janette Fennell, founder and president of Kids and Car Safety, a group that tracks these incidents, says, 'The worst thing any parent or caregiver can ever do is to think that something like this could never happen to them or someone in their family.' These tragedies occur at an alarming rate, and they involve a range of circumstances. reports that deaths have spanned from 5-day-old babies to 14-year-olds. And deaths from heatstroke can happen any time of year, even as early as February and as late as November. Kids and Car Safety's heatstroke fact sheet highlights that caregivers involved in these incidents come from many walks of life. They include teachers, dentists, social workers, law enforcement officers, nurses, clergymen, military officers, and even a rocket scientist. These tragic cases can happen to anyone, regardless of their education or socioeconomic status. And it's not just a summertime problem. Even on days with mild temperatures, the heat inside a closed vehicle can reach dangerous levels within an hour, posing major health risks to small children or pets left inside, Consumer Reports' testing shows. When working memory fails Diamond says the problem involves two parts of a person's working memory: prospective and semantic. Prospective memory helps us remember to do something in the future, while semantic memory allows drivers to make the trip from work to home on autopilot, where they arrive without remembering clear details of how they got there. Prospective and semantic memories work together to help us make changes to our routines; these changes can include things such as 'drop off the baby at daycare' or 'stop for groceries on the way home.' When our working memory fails, such as when we're distracted or stressed, there can be catastrophic implications, Diamond says. He gave examples of situations where critical safety steps were overlooked, such as a surgeon leaving tools in a patient, a pilot not setting the wing flaps for landing, and caregivers forgetting that there's a baby in the car. 'The habit brain system is a great convenience that allows us to go into autopilot,' Diamond says. 'The beauty of it is that we don't have to remember every turn, but the problem is that it's actually guiding our behavior. When it guides our behavior, it suppresses the other part of the brain that is supposed to remind us of additional information.' 'We have to accept the fact that our brain multitasks. And as a part of that multitasking, the awareness of a child can be lost,' Diamond says. 'We have to accept that the human memory is flawed. That includes when loving, attentive parents lose awareness of their children when they are in a car.' Diamond has studied many heatstroke cases and points to common factors: stress, sleep deprivation, and change in routine. Many times when a child died in this situation, there was a change in the day's routine, Diamond says. For example, a parent who wouldn't usually be responsible for day-care drop-off may have had the task that day. Because our brains recognize a pattern for the day, this person would drive to work as usual, even though the baby was along for the ride. And unless there was an external cue, such as seeing the diaper bag or hearing the baby, the parent's brain would continue on autopilot and could even create a false memory that the child is safely at daycare, Diamond found. Sleep deprivation and stress can also increase the potential for a working-memory failure. Conflicts between semantic and prospective memory are typical, Diamond says. His research has found that they happen to everyone—not just parents and caregivers—on almost a daily basis. The added stress, distraction, and sleep deprivation that parents often face can contribute to tragic situations. What you can do to prevent a hot car tragedy The first step is for parents and caregivers to understand that human memory is faulty and that these memory failures can happen to anyone. The key to avoiding such incidents is to use strategies aimed at overcoming memory lapses. 'The strategies need to be child-specific,' Diamond says. 'When you have a child in the car, do something unique.' Here are six tips from the expert team that tests car seats for CR. Create safeguards. Set up an agreement with child-care providers where you promise to notify them if your child is going to be late or absent. In return, they pledge to notify you if your child doesn't arrive at the usual drop-off time. Set up an agreement with child-care providers where you promise to notify them if your child is going to be late or absent. In return, they pledge to notify you if your child doesn't arrive at the usual drop-off time. Set reminders on your phone to check with your spouse or partner to make sure they have dropped the child off. to check with your spouse or partner to make sure they have dropped the child off. Always keep vehicles locked and keys out of reach from little hands. and keys out of reach from little hands. Create visual reminders. Place the child's diaper bag, jacket, or hat in the front passenger seat. Place the child's diaper bag, jacket, or hat in the front passenger seat. Force yourself to go to the back seat. Keep your backpack, lunch box, or briefcase there every day. Keep your backpack, lunch box, or briefcase there every day. Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle for any length of time, regardless of the outside temperature. Vehicles can quickly heat up to potentially fatal levels on even mild-temperature days. 'Education is very important, but education alone won't end these tragedies,' says Fennell at Kids and Cars Safety. 'It's going to take education along with technology to help our imperfect brains.' You can also invest in a vehicle or child car seat with integrated reminder technology. Consumer Reports' experts have evaluated these technologies and found that integrated systems that default to On, rather than needing to be activated by the driver, are the most beneficial. (The concern is that most parents don't think a hot car tragedy could happen to them and therefore might not turn on a protective feature.) 'When my college-aged son was an infant, this almost happened to us,' says Jennifer Stockburger, director of operations at CR's Auto Test Center. 'My husband was responsible for dropping our son at daycare one day, which was not his normal routine. He drove far past the daycare, and only when our son made some noise did he realize his mistake. Even if you can't imagine making such an error, I encourage parents to use the tips we provide to safeguard their children.' By Emily A. Thomas, PhD, Consumer Reports associate director, auto safety
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Yahoo
What would you do if you came upon a child, or a dog, locked inside a hot car?
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) – Try to visualize it: You're walking through the parking lot of a shopping center. You spot a child in a car seat, locked inside a car. What would you do? What should you do? Let's start here: Don't just walk away. The temperature inside a car can rise 20 degrees Fahrenheit within 10 minutes and continue to climb quickly. Leaving the window open a crack does not significantly slow the process. Since 1990, more than 1,100 U.S. children have lost their lives in hot cars, and just since May 2025, 15 children have died this way. That does not include 1-year-old Amillio Gutierrez, who died June 29 after his mother, 20-year-old Maya Hernandez, left him and an older sibling in her car while she was getting a lip filler treatment at a Bakersfield spa. She has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and child cruelty. We asked Bakersfield shoppers on a 104-degree day this week what they would do if they encountered a child – or a pet – locked in a hot car. Some had already experienced it. Betty Eaves once came upon a wild scene, where a mother exited a store to find paramedics extracting her child from a locked car. 'The parent had come up and was just hysterical,' Eaves said. 'Oh, that's my child, that's my child. I don't know what happened to her but the baby was ok.' Nic Brown had a similar experience with a dog outside a pet store. 'Somebody had a little Chihuahua in their car and we tracked the person down and they ended up getting the dog out,' he said. 'We shouldn't be doing that.' So – what should you do? 'Contact the store management,' said Maria Vasquez. 'See if there's anybody in the store that owns that vehicle. If not, contact the authorities.' 'Definitely call law enforcement right away,' said Rikki Minus, who was bringing her 5-year-old into a grocery store. 'Don't leave the child. But if you can try to get in the car, break the window as soon as possible. Because it's very sad. Too many kids are dying like that.' Not everyone is comfortable smashing a window, however. 'Call 9-1-1, stay with the people, stay with the person near the car,' said Christina Barela, who was shopping with her almost-11-year-old daughter. 'I don't know if I would go as far as to break the window. I think I would wait until somebody had the tools to do that.' And that's OK, said firefighter Sean Rogers, a paramedic with the Bakersfield Fire Department. 'We always advise people to act within their own level of comfort,' he said. 'You could start small and try to (gauge the situation). Are you at a restaurant or a public area? Can you notify anybody? Does this vehicle belong to anybody? 'Do what you have to do in that sense, and then escalate from there. If you're unable to find the owner of the vehicle, the parents, whoever, then you would take the next step. If you feel that someone is truly in danger…if you do not initiate a rescue now, that would be the time to act and act responsibly.' Isn't that risky, breaking someone's window? Not necessarily. Not if you do it right, and confine the damage to the absolute minimum required to achieve the rescue. 'As long as you call 9-1-1 and act responsibly, there are Good Samaritan laws in place to protect you,' Rogers said. This kind of tragedy can happen even to responsible parents who just happen to space out. Some 52% are deemed to have simply made a heartbreaking oversight. What can parents do to remind themselves they have a baby on board? Throw your purse or brief case in the back seat with your child, so you're compelled to look back there before you exit the vehicle. Put a stuffed animal on the front seat as a reminder that you've got a passenger. As for passers-by who encounter locked-in kids in parking lots – when in doubt, act. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Independent
11-07-2025
- The Independent
Pet owners given heatwave warning after dog rescued from hot car
Police have issued a warning to pet owners over leaving animals in hot cars after a dog had to be rescued by officers. Wiltshire Police removed a large dog from a car in Stirling Road, South Marston, after reports at just before 8.30am on Wednesday from a member of the public concerned about its welfare. The dog was seized and taken to kennels. Its owner has been spoken to and will be invited for an interview under Section 4 of the animal welfare act 2006, which criminalises causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, the force said. Temperatures have begun to climb again across the UK, as the country looks set to enter its third heatwave of the year over the weekend. PC Paul Croft, dog legislation officer, added: 'Over the next few days we will be having very hot weather. Please do not leave your dog inside a hot car. The temperature in the vehicle will be a lot hotter than it feels outside and can cause serious injury to the animal. 'If you do see a dog left in a hot car and it is in distress please do call 999. Don't try to force entry to the vehicle yourself as you may be committing an offence.' John Warwick, who has run Swindon & District Animal Haven for 29 years, told the BBC that dogs do not always need to be walked in the hot weather. 'They're just as happy laying in the house. A dog's paws can get burnt on the concrete and tarmac can melt and hurt them,' he said. 'It's common sense, a lot of people worry they should always walk their dogs - but not in this weather,. The RSPCA lwarns leaving your dog in a car during hot weather can be fatal. The charity say that 'many people think it's ok to leave their dog in the car if they're parked in the shade or the windows are open. But a car can become as hot as an oven, even when the weather doesn't feel that warm. When it's 22 degrees Celsius outside, the car could reach an unbearable 47 degrees within an hour.' The RSPCA advise anyone to call 999 if they see a dog displaying signs of heatstroke in a car. If the dog's condition is critical and police have not arrived, the charity emphasise that breaking into the vehicle 'could be classed as criminal damage. You may need to defend your actions in court, so please be sure you're doing the right thing. Legally, you can commit damage if you believe the car owner would consent to it if they knew the dog was in danger'.
The Sun
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
7 common items Brits should never leave inside a hot car including popular kids' gadget that can become ‘dangerous'
DRIVERS are being warned against leaving certain items in the car when the weather is hot, including a potentially dangerous kids gadget. Motoring experts have outline seven of the common items lefts by Brits in cars that they say really shouldn't in the heat. 3 The advice comes at a perfect time as warmer weather is forecast across the UK in coming weeks. Drivers therefore should be careful about what they leave in the vehicles throughout the summer. Dangers of hot cars Leaving windows slightly open, while an easy option that can be more convenient, is not always enough. On top of that, car experts suggest that car interiors can become dangerously hot within minutes. And while "most drivers know not to leave pets or children in hot cars", there are other items to consider in their potential to cause hazards. John Wilmot, CEO of car leasing comparison site LeaseLoco, adds: 'As temperatures rise, it's important to think twice before leaving anything behind in your vehicle that could melt, warp, overheat or even pose a fire risk.' This is especially when they are left on the dashboard or seats in direct sunlight. Items not to be left in hot cars 1. Mobile Phones Phones are highly sensitive to heat, and therefore can quickly over heat if left in the sun. Car interiors can also reach over double the temperature outside when the weather is warm. Car expert urges drivers to do two maintenance checks before summer heat – 'quarter test' could save on a tow Exposure to heat, such as being left in a hot car, can cause quick degradation to a phone's battery. The device is then also likely to overheat, and may even trigger automatic shutdowns or permanent internal damage. In extreme cases, overheated mobile phones can present a fire risk. 2. Medication Many medical pills are high sensitive to temprature. These include medications like insulin and certain antibiotics, which should be kept in the fridge, as well as common children's medicine Calpol, which should be kept below 25 degrees Celsius. The effectiveness of a drug can be reduced when exposed to high temperatures. They may even become unsafe to use. You should always make sure to read the packaging and follow the instructions of medication, especially during the summer. 3. Suncream Suncream, while a necessity to have on hand for hot days, should not be left in cars. Apart from potentially causing a mess and making it hot to apply, suncream's prolonged heat exposure can also make it useless. The active ingredient breaks down in hot temperatures, meaning it will no longer protect your skin properly from UVA or UVB rays. As a result, you will have increased risk of sunburn and long-term skin damage by relying on this suncream. 4. Water Bottles Plastic can leach harmful chemicals when heated up. Harmful chemicals like BPA may permeate into water of plastic bottles, especially after long periods of heat exposure. Even BPA-free plastic shouldn't be left in extreme temperatures. It is best to use reusable stainless steel or glass bottles, for safer hydration. But these should also be taken with you when you leave the car. 3 3 5. Sunglasses People regularly leave sunglasses on the dashboard when they leave the car, however this can ruin them. Heat can cause the plastic frames of sunglasses to warp, and their lenses may become distorted or cracked. Left unprotected, they are also more likely to get scratched or discoloured. It is therefore advised to always keep sunglasses in a proper case and out of direct sunlight when not in use. 6. Aerosol Cans Pressurised aerosol cans can pose an extreme risk when left in a hot car. This includes deodorants, air fresheners, hairsprays or cleaning sprays. Pressure inside aerosol cans increases with rising temperatures, which can cause them to rupture or explode. This can be extremely dangerous and lead to a serious fire or injury. Even if it does not explode, the heat can degrade the contents, reduce its performance or cause leaks. 7. Electronics and power banks Devices like laptops, tablets, and portable chargers also present a risk when left in the heat. As most electronics contain lithium-ion batteries, they are high sensitive to extreme temperatures, and may swell, leak or catch fire. Exposure to warmth also can cause them to degrade much faster, and shorten their overall lifespan. Internal components may also be damaged, like the screens or circuit boards of devices, such that they become unusable.
CBS News
28-06-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Summer heat increases risk of child deaths in hot cars, advocates warn
Interview with Janette Fennell of Kids and Car Safety on protecting children from hot cars A record heat wave that spread across the East Coast of the United States during the first week of summer has child advocates warning parents and caretakers about the risks of heatstroke to children left inside hot vehicles. So far this year, nine children have died after being left unattended in vehicles in California, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, New Mexico, New Jersey and North Carolina, according to Kids and Car Safety, which collects data on hot car deaths. Five died in June. According to data from advocacy group Kids and Car Safety, on average, 38 children die each year from heatstroke inside a vehicle. Since 1990, at least 1,134 children have died in hot cars in the United States and at least another 7,500 survived with varying degrees of injury, according to data compiled by Kids and Car Safety. Why hot cars are so dangerous for kids Human-caused climate change keeps dialing up temperatures and extreme weather, scientists say. But the temperature outside doesn't have to be super hot for a child left in a vehicle to be affected by the heat, said Kathy Wall, director of Safe Kids Palm Beach County. "Inside, the vehicle can heat up 20 degrees in just 20 minutes," Wall said. "So if you imagine it's an 80 degree day, which in South Florida is a cool day, it could be over 100 degrees within 10 minutes inside the car." Hot car deaths can happen any time of year, and since 1998, every state but Alaska has reported a hot car death, according to the National Safety Council. In both 2018 and 2019, a record 53 children died after being left in hot cars. About 80% of the heat rise in vehicles happens in the first 30 minutes of a child being left inside, when maximum temperatures can exceed 150 degrees Fahrenheit (65 degrees Celsius), according to data compiled by Jan Null, a certified consulting meteorologist at San Jose State University. "Children sweat a lot less than adults do and their internal temperature can increase three to five times faster than an adult. So that's why it's just as important to make sure that your child isn't left in the vehicle, especially during these rising temperatures," said Capt. Karen Derogatis of Palm Beach County Fire Rescue. Last week, a 5-year-old boy in Mansfield, Ohio, died after being left in a hot vehicle. It can happen to anyone While it's easy to place blame for leaving a child in a vehicle, even people trained to know the dangers have made that tragic mistake, Wall said. "It's not a socioeconomic group, it's not a cultural group," she said. "This sadly has happened to doctors, it's happened to dentists, it happened to school teachers, it's happened to child care workers. Nobody is exempt from this." Distraction often leads to forgetting about a child in the backseat, which is why it is important to create routines and reminders, she said. "It sounds crazy, but sometimes people get out of routines or are distracted, especially in today's world. There's lots going on in the news, lots going with families," she said. A parent who normally doesn't drop a child off at a day care facility might become distracted and forget that the child is in the vehicle, she said. Create a reminder that a child is in the backseat She encourages parents and caregivers to establish routines. "We have an acronym, ACT," Wall said. "A" stands for avoiding leaving a child unattended in a vehicle. "C" stands for creating a reminder that works best for you. Authorities suggest leaving a personal item such as a purse or briefcase in the backseat so you'll have to open the back door before locking the vehicle. "T" is to take action right away. "If you see a child in a car, don't try to figure out how long they've been in the car. Call 911 immediately," Wall said. Some newer cars offer warnings for drivers to check the backseat for passengers. Double checking the vehicle is key, said Derogatis, the fire captain. "If you make it a common habit, just like you would look in their rear view mirror to see if somebody's behind you, or if you look at your side view mirror to see if you want to switch lanes, make it habit to look in your rearview mirror, whether you have a child or an animal or anything, just to ensure that they are as safe as possible," she said.
