Infographic: .jpg .pdf
Fact Sheets: English Español
[Note: This study published in Pediatrics. Click
here to download]
- Total number of U.S. pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths, 2020: 7
- Total number of U.S. pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths, 2019: 52
- Total number of U.S. pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths, 1998-present: 856
- Average number of U.S. child heatstroke fatalities per year 1998-2019: 39
QUICK LINKS
-
Monthly Statistics
-
Statistics
by State
-
Trends & Patterns in Pediatric Vehicular Heatstroke
(PDF)
-
NSC "Children
in Hot Cars" Online Course
-
Monthly Heatstroke Prevention Newsletters:
April,
May
CIRCUMSTANCES
An examination of media reports about the 849 pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths for a
22-year period (1998 through 2019) shows the following circumstances:
- 54.2% - Forgotten by caregiver (460 children)
- 25.2% - Gained Access on their own (214)
-
19.1% - Knowingly left by caregiver (162)
-
1.5 % - Unknown (13)
AGES
The children that have died from vehicular heatstroke in the United States (1998-2019) have ranged in age from 5 days to 14 years. More than half of the deaths (54%) are children under 2 years of age. Below are the percentage of total (849) deaths and the number of deaths.
| < 1 32% (268) | 3 14% (118) | 6 1% (8) | 9 <1% (2) | 12 <1% (1) |
| 1 23% (196) | 4 6% (47) | 7 <1% (3) | 10 <1% (3) | 13 <1% (2) |
| 2 19% (162) | 5 3% (28) | 8 <1% (3) | 11 <1% (3) | 14 <1% (2) |
| # | Date | City | Temperature | Gender | Age |
| 7 | 7/4/2020 | Oklahoma City, OK | 92 | Girl | 17 mo |
| 6 | 6/26/2020 | Springfield, VA | 86 | Girl | 11 mo |
| 5 | 6/18/2020 | Ellerbe, NC | 81 | Boy | 22 mo |
| 4 | 6/13/2020 | Tulsa, OK | 94 | Girl | 4 yrs |
| 3 | 6/13/2020 | Tulsa, OK | 94 | Boy | 3 yrs |
| 2 | 5/28/2020 | Clewiston, FL | 90 | Girl | 10 mo |
| 1 | 4/25/2020 | Tomball, TX | 78 | Boy | 4 yrs |
