As Temperatures rise, experts warn of deadly risks for children left in hot cars

BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss. (WXXV)- A dangerous mistake that can turn deadly in minutes, children and pets left inside hot cars.

Even on mild days, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly, putting lives at risk.

So far this year, several children have died nationwide and experts say these tragedies are entirely preventable.

According to noheatstroke.org, nine children have died so far from a hot car in 2026.

Dr. Christopher Jones with Memorial Physician Clinic in Bay St. Louis says their body temperatures can rise three to five times faster than adults. “A child can rapidly develop heat symptoms, heat illness, heat exhaustion, or even heat stroke in as little as 15 minutes.”

On average, 37 children die from heatstroke inside hot vehicles each year. Conditions can quickly become dangerous for anyone, especially for children, pets, and adults.

Hot car deaths can occur even when the outside temperature is below 70 degrees. Dr. Jones said, “Because the car with the closed windows acts like a greenhouse effect, and that traps heat and humidity in that car, and that is the underpinning of rapidly rising temperatures inside the car.”

Cracking a window does little to slow the rapid rise in temperatures inside a vehicle. Experts say factors like dark-colored interiors, underlying health conditions, and age can increase the risk of heat-related illness for both people and pets. “Symptoms can start within minutes, and I would never leave anybody or anything that I did not want to be affected by the heat left in the car, even for 15 minutes.”

Once you get everything, lock your vehicle to prevent a child from wandering and becoming trapped inside. Always look before you leave and lock your car. It could save a life.