Florida ranks second in U.S. for child hot car deaths, prompting local awareness efforts

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Florida has been ranked as the second-highest state in the nation for the number of children who have died in hot cars, according to Palm Beach County Fire Rescue (PBCFR).

In an effort to raise awareness, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, in partnership with Safe Kids and the Children's Services Council of Palm Beach County, hosted a real-time demonstration on Tuesday. The re-enactment illustrated how fire rescue officials respond when a child is left alone in a hot car.

Since 1990, over a thousand children have died after being forgotten in locked vehicles, with two such incidents occurring in Florida just last year. When a child is left in a vehicle, their temperature can rise quickly, leading to heat stroke, PBCFR said.

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"Our paramedics are trained to recognize heat illness early and provide treatment on scene and en route to the hospital. But the best outcome is to never have to respond at all. It isn't about blame, it's about prevention through awareness and action," said Phillip Olavarria Division Chief for Palm Beach County Fire Rescue.

In response to the ongoing issue, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill designating April as 'Hot Car Death Prevention Month' to promote awareness and prevention efforts.

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