'It can happen to anybody': First responders warn of hot car deaths

As summer approaches, Oklahoma first responders are once again urging parents to stay vigilant about a silent, preventable danger: leaving children in hot cars. From shocking statistics to life-saving advice, here’s what you need to know—by the numbers.

The Numbers

1,000+: Children Lost Since 1990

First responders in Tulsa say more than 1,125 children have died from vehicular heatstroke nationwide since 1990. EMSA says the child was unknowingly left behind in more than half of those cases.

31: Oklahoma Children Lost

Since 1998, 31 children have died in hot cars across Oklahoma. The state ranks third in the nation per capita for these types of deaths.

2: Deaths in Oklahoma Last Year

Two Oklahoma children died in a hot car in 2024. Officers said the two boys were accidentally left in the car for an extended period of time before being discovered by family members.

37–38: Average Annual U.S. Deaths

Nationwide, an average of 37 to 38 children die each year from heatstroke in cars, according to data from the Kids and Car Safety database.

3–5x: Faster Rise in Child Body Temperature

A child’s body temperature can increase three to five times faster than an adult’s, making them especially vulnerable to heat-related injuries or death.

104–107 Degrees: Critical Thresholds

Once a child's core body temperature hits 104 degrees, heatstroke begins. At 107 degrees, organ failure and death can follow rapidly.

20 Degrees in 10 Minutes: Rapid Car Heat Rise

Even with the windows cracked, the interior of a car can heat up by 20 degrees in just 10 minutes, creating deadly conditions in under half an hour.

70s Outside? Still Deadly Inside

First responders warn that even on days with mild temperatures in the 70s, interior car temperatures can exceed 100 degrees—enough to kill a child.

Thousands: Near Misses and Injuries

While fatal cases make headlines, thousands more children are rescued each year before it’s too late. Many survive with lasting injuries and trauma.

Over 50%: Left Behind Unknowingly

More than half of hot car deaths involve a child who was unintentionally forgotten by a parent or caregiver—often due to stress, sleep deprivation or a break in routine.

Why These Numbers Matter

“I want to be honest with you, these calls are some of the hardest we face,” said EMSA Paramedic Riley Howard. “Whether you’re the one arriving on scene or taking the call, the emotional toll is real and lasting.”

“They’re helpless. They are dependent upon those adults around them to make sure that they are cared for,” said Tulsa Police Capt. Karen Tipler. “Even when the child is just lifeless, just that look is something that is engrained in the memory of those first responders.”

What You Can Do

Officials urge parents and caregivers to remember the ACT method:

1. Avoid heatstroke: Never leave a child in a car, even for a moment.
2. Create reminders: Put a phone, shoe or bag in the back seat so you check it every time.
3. Take Action: If you see a child alone in a car, call 911 immediately.

Other safety tips include:

1. Lock parked vehicles to prevent children from climbing inside.
2. Use back seat reminders or car seat alarms.
3. Set up notification systems with other caregivers.
4. Teach children to never play inside vehicles.

What Comes Next

As summer break begins and routines change, authorities are asking families to double-check every time they park.

“Everyone gets out together,” said Capt. Tipler. “It may seem like a hassle to take your child out of that car seat, but we all get out together.”

“We’ve seen case studies across the country with responsible parents who are either leaving a long shift or just very tired, have a lot going on, and it can happen to you,” said Andy Little with the Tulsa Fire Department.