TUCSON, Ariz. -- According to KidsAndCars.org, 2018 is now officially the worst year for child hot car deaths in the U.S..
In a release by the organization, 51 children died last year which surpasses the death toll of 49 kids in 2010.
“We cry out for proactive solutions as these preventable deaths continue to mount every summer,” states Janette Fennell, president and founder of KidsAndCars.org.
The new information comes after the cause of death of two Missouri girls was revealed. Both were said to have died from heatstroke after they were left in the vehicle around July 4, 2018.
"The worst thing any parent or caregiver can do is think that they could never unknowingly leave a child behind in a vehicle," says Amber Rollins, director of KidsAndCars.org, "This can happen to the most loving, responsible and attentive parents. Nobody is immune," she added.
KidsAndCars says everyone should use the "Look Before You Lock" safety checklist to keep children safe from hot car tragedies.
Since KidsAndCars.org began tracking data, over 900 children have died from heatstroke inside vehicles. An average of 38 children die every year from vehicular heatstroke (one every 9 days).
