2 child deaths in hot cars in Florida already this year prompts warnings

Temperatures inside cars can rise 30 degrees in 20 minutes

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – With spring temperatures expected to feel more like summer this week, Florida officials want to remind parents that leaving their children alone in a hot car is not only illegal but can be deadly as well.

There have already been two children in Florida die in 2017 after being left alone in a hot car – one in Tampa and the other in Miami.

According to a local attorney, it’s illegal for parents to leave children alone in cars running for more than 15 minutes.

Studies have shown that temperatures inside cars can rise quickly. It only takes 20 minutes for temperatures in a car to rise from 70 degrees to 99 degrees

Some people have said a small change in their morning routine led to their forgetting their child in the car. Others have said they simply forgot altogether.

Officials told News4Jax that people should never leave children unattended in cars for any period of time.


About the Author:

Ashley Harding joined the Channel 4 news team in March 2013. She reports for and anchors The Morning Show.