Infographic:
   .jpg  .pdf
[Note: This study published in Pediatrics. Click here to download]

  • Total number of U.S. pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths, 2022: 1
  • Total number of U.S. pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths, 2022:  30
  • Total number of U.S. pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths, 1998-present: 938
  • Average number of U.S. child heatstroke fatalities per year 1998-2022: 37

QUICK LINKS
- Monthly Statistics 
-
Statistics by State 
- New - Updated through 2022:  
Pediatric Vehicular Heatstroke: By the Numbers  (also PDF)
- NSC "Children in Hot Cars" Online Course

CIRCUMSTANCES

An examination of media reports about the 937 pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths for a 25-year period (1998 through 2022) shows the following circumstances:
    - 52.61% - Forgotten by caregiver (493 children)
    - 25.29% - Gained Access on their own (237)
    - 20.28% - Knowingly left by caregiver (190)
    - 1.81% - Unknown (17) 

AGES

The children that have died from vehicular heatstroke in the United States (1998-2022) 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 deaths and the number of deaths.

< 1 31%  (283) 3  14%  (133) 6   1%  (9)   <1%  (2) 12   <1%  (1)
  1   23%  (213) 4   6%  (54) 7   <1%  (3) 10   <1%  (3) 13   <1%  (3)
  2   19%  (175) 5   3%  (30) 8   <1%  (3) 11   <1%  (4) 14   <1%  (3)

Click on location on map or table below for details

# Date City Temperature Gender Age
1 3/6/2023 Port St. Lucie, FL 84 Boy 2 yr

Previous Years:  2022, 2021, 20202019, 2018, 2017, 201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420031998 ‑ 2002