South Florida, FL – As the temperatures rise, local officials are telling parents that they should never leave their kids alone in the car. This is because three young children died this year from heatstroke after being left in cars alone. As the summer heat rises, the Florida Highway Patrol, local fire companies, and people who work to protect children are stepping up their efforts to stop more tragedies.
The non-profit group Kids and Car Safety says that three children have died so far in 2025 because their cars were too hot to be in. Even if it doesn’t feel too hot outside, the inside of a car can get dangerously hot as the weather gets warmer. Because of the high number of child deaths, local governments are reminding people that kids should never be left alone in a car, even for a short time.
Michelle McKoy, a mom of a child in South Florida, said, “It only takes a few minutes for a car to become an oven.” She knows all too well the problems parents face every day. “Leaving a child alone in the car is just too dangerous, and I know how easy it is to run an errand quickly.”
McKoy said that she always keeps an eye on her child’s safety, even though she has a lot going on in her own life. “If I ever had to leave my kid in the car, I would have to be with someone else or the AC would have to be on,” she said. “The heat in South Florida is no joke.”
Because of these threats, a mother in Miami was arrested earlier this month for leaving her young children in the car while she went into a store. Police say the mother went into an Ulta Beauty shop on May 13 and left her 2-and-a-half-year-old son and 22-month-old daughter in the car. The windows were barely open, and the car’s engine was turned off. When police arrived, they saw that both kids were sweating and were very uncomfortable because it was so hot. The kids were taken from the car to a nearby police office, where their mother was being charged with child neglect.
This case is a stark reminder of how quickly things can get worse when it’s very hot outside. “Everyone needs to remember,” said Alex Camacho, a spokesman for the Florida Highway Patrol. “Temperatures inside a car can quickly reach life-threatening levels, even if the outside is warm but not hot.” Parents could lose their children if they make this mistake.
“Look before you lock” is a simple but effective safety tip that the Florida Highway Patrol is telling parents to use to help stop more crashes. Camacho says to put things like your purse, phone, or even lunch in the back seat so you have to look before getting out of the car. This easy habit can help save lives.
Additionally, Florida’s Good Samaritan Law protects people who break into a car to save a child who is in danger. The rule makes sure that people who are trying to save a child’s life in good faith are not responsible for any damage to the car.
The main thing to remember about this repeated warning is that parents and other adults responsible for kids need to stay alert when it’s really hot outside. The government says it’s never worth the risk. A car can get dangerously hot in a matter of minutes, and no task is important enough to risk a child’s life.
It was very moving when McKoy said, “Please don’t let your children be another statistic.” You have the power to save lives.
As we move into the hot summer months, parents all over South Florida are being asked to stay alert and put safety first.
“This article was written by Mathew Owen. AI tools were used lightly for grammar and formatting, but the ideas, words, and edits are all mine.“
