HENDRY COUNTY -- A child dies from being left in a hot car every ten seconds in the United States. Since 1990, more than 900 children have died in hot cars, including 97 in Florida, according to national statistics. July 31 is National Heatstroke Prevention Day, a day that focuses on preventing hot car deaths.

According to the National Safety Council, “In both 2018 and 2019, 53 children died in hot cars. These are the deadliest years on record in the past 20 years. Since 1998, almost 900 children have died from vehicular heatstroke; 24% of incidents occurred while a parent or caregiver was at a place of work.”

The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office recently explained, “With temperatures expected to be in the 90s once again today in Hendry County, we want to remind you to check and double check that your little ones are out of the car before you lock and leave it.”

There have been four deaths of children in hot cars in the United States so far this year, including a 9-month-old left in a car for several hours just outside Pensacola, Florida.

“We have seen a child alone in a car just outside Walmart, and immediately called for help,” one local couple reported. “The mother had been working so much, she was exhausted and forgot him. It was truly scary for all of us.”

“I leave my purse in the back seat, with my daughter,” said one mother. “That way I always have to open the back door to get it, before I go into a store or whatever.”

Children should never be left unattended or be able to get inside a vehicle. Vehicles can rapidly reach 115 degrees when it’s just 70 degrees outside, so even on mild or cloudy days, temperatures inside vehicles can reach life-threatening levels quickly. Leaving windows slightly open will not help.

“If you see a child alone in someone else's car, call 911 immediately. We can all do our part to protect our youngest residents,” HCSO suggested.