Report on Heat-Related Child Safety Risks Amid Rising Temperatures

Introduction

A record-breaking heat wave across the East Coast of the United States during early summer has raised significant concerns among child safety advocates regarding the risks of heatstroke for children left unattended in vehicles. This report emphasizes the critical importance of addressing this issue in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Current Statistics and Impact

1. In 2025, nine children have died after being left unattended in vehicles across multiple states including California, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, New Mexico, New Jersey, and North Carolina.
2. Five of these fatalities occurred in June alone.
3. On average, 38 children die annually in the United States from heatstroke inside vehicles.
4. Since 1990, at least 1,134 children have died in hot cars, with over 7,500 survivors suffering varying degrees of injury.

These statistics highlight the urgent need for preventive measures to protect children’s health and safety, directly supporting SDG 3.

Why Hot Cars Are Dangerous for Children

• Climate change, driven by human activity, is increasing temperatures and extreme weather events, exacerbating the risk of heat-related incidents (SDG 13).
• Vehicles can heat up by 20 degrees Fahrenheit within 20 minutes, reaching over 100 degrees even on relatively mild days.
• Approximately 80% of the temperature increase inside vehicles occurs within the first 30 minutes, with internal temperatures exceeding 150 degrees Fahrenheit (65 degrees Celsius).
• Children’s bodies heat up three to five times faster than adults, and they sweat less, making them more vulnerable to heatstroke.

These factors demonstrate the critical intersection of climate action and child safety, emphasizing the need for community awareness and sustainable urban planning (SDG 11).

Incidence and Demographics

• Hot car deaths have been reported in every U.S. state except Alaska since 1998.
• In 2018 and 2019, a record 53 children died each year from heatstroke in vehicles.
• The tragedy affects all socioeconomic and cultural groups, including professionals such as doctors, dentists, teachers, and childcare workers.
• Distraction and disruption of routines are common causes of children being left in vehicles.

Preventive Measures and Recommendations

Creating Effective Reminders

Child safety advocates recommend establishing routines and reminders to prevent children from being left unattended in vehicles. The ACT acronym is promoted as a practical guide:

1. Avoid leaving children unattended in vehicles.
2. Create a reminder that works best for the caregiver, such as placing a personal item in the backseat.
3. Take immediate action if a child is found unattended in a vehicle by calling emergency services.

Technological and Behavioral Strategies

• Utilizing newer vehicle technologies that alert drivers to check the backseat.
• Incorporating habits such as checking rearview mirrors for passengers before exiting the vehicle.
• Raising public awareness through education campaigns aligned with SDG 3 and SDG 11.

Conclusion

The increasing frequency of heatwaves due to climate change (SDG 13) necessitates urgent action to protect children from heatstroke in vehicles. This issue intersects with multiple Sustainable Development Goals, including ensuring good health and well-being (SDG 3), promoting sustainable communities (SDG 11), and combating climate change. Coordinated efforts involving education, technology, and community engagement are essential to reduce preventable child deaths and injuries related to heat exposure in vehicles.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article highlights child deaths and injuries due to heatstroke in vehicles, directly relating to health and well-being.
2. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The article discusses human-caused climate change leading to increased temperatures and extreme weather, which exacerbates the risk of heatstroke.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Focus on safety in urban environments, including vehicle safety and public awareness to prevent child deaths.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.2: End preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age.
   • Target 3.9: Reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
2. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
   • Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.2: Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Number of child deaths from heatstroke in vehicles
   • The article provides data on annual child deaths (38 on average per year) and total deaths since 1990 (at least 1,134), which can serve as an indicator to measure progress towards reducing preventable child deaths (SDG 3.2).
2. Incidence of heat-related illnesses and injuries in children
   • Data on children surviving with injuries (7,500+) can be tracked as an indicator of health impacts (SDG 3.9).
3. Temperature rise and frequency of extreme heat events
   • Information on rising temperatures inside vehicles and heat waves relates to climate data used to monitor climate hazards (SDG 13.1).
4. Public awareness and education efforts
   • The article’s emphasis on routines, reminders, and warnings in vehicles implies indicators related to awareness campaigns and adoption of safety measures (SDG 13.3).
5. Implementation of vehicle safety technologies
   • Indicators could include the percentage of vehicles equipped with backseat occupant alerts to prevent child heatstroke (SDG 11.2).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: cbsnews.com