Infographic: .jpg .pdf
[Note: This study published in Pediatrics. Click
here to download]
- Total number of U.S. pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths, 2021: 5
- Total number of U.S. pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths, 2020: 25
- Total number of U.S. pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths, 1998-present: 888
- Average number of U.S. child heatstroke fatalities per year 1998-2020: 38
QUICK LINKS
-
Monthly Statistics
-
Statistics
by State
-
Trends & Patterns in Pediatric Vehicular Heatstroke
(PDF)
-
NSC "Children
in Hot Cars" Online Course
CIRCUMSTANCES
An examination of media reports about the 883 pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths for a
23 year period (1998 through 2020) shows the following circumstances:
- 52.9% - Forgotten by caregiver (467 children)
- 25.6% - Gained Access on their own (227)
-
19.7% - Knowingly left by caregiver (174)
-
1.7 % - Unknown (15)
AGES
The children that have died from vehicular heatstroke in the United States (1998-2020) 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% (275) | 3 14% (135) | 6 1% (8) | 9 <1% (2) | 12 <1% (1) |
| 1 23% (204) | 4 6% (54) | 7 <1% (3) | 10 <1% (3) | 13 <1% (3) |
| 2 19% (266) | 5 3% (28) | 8 <1% (3) | 11 <1% (3) | 14 <1% (3) |
