DALLAS – The recent deaths of four children in hot cars has brought the number of fatalities across the U.S. this year to at least 23.
That nearly matches last year’s total and has left experts pleading for vigilance and warning parents that it can happen to anyone.
Experts say there’s an average of 37 such deaths each year and that last year, with estimates of about two dozen deaths, was an unusually low year. The worst year was 2010, with 49.
Texas has recorded 111 hot car deaths since 1990, followed by Florida with 80 and California at 54.
Janette Fennell of the child safety organization KidsAndCars.org says, “It just breaks your heart.” She says technology, in addition to education and awareness, is needed to lower the deaths.
