Near-heatwave temperatures resuming this week serve as a reminder to keep an eye out to avoid the very worst of mistakes. It is estimated that nearly 40 children in the United States die each year from heatstroke, either because they were left or became trapped in a car. The number of car deaths for 2022 was 33.

According to recent reports, 19 deaths have been reported so far this year. Since 1998, nearly every state has experienced at least one death. More than 50% of hot car deaths happen because someone forgets a child in a car. Overall, 87% of the children who have died in a hot car are age 3 and younger and 54% are age one and younger. A full 32% (the largest age category) of fatalities involve infants.