Dangers of leaving your kids in hot cars
Madeline Murray
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma Fire Department (YFD) and Rural Metro Fire are warning the community about the dangers of leaving kids in hot cars.
In Phoenix, a father of four was arrested last month after Phoenix police officers responded to reports of kids left inside of a hot car.
After the kids were rescued, their father, a 38-year-old man, was arrested and booked on eight felony charges, including child abuse.
According to Kids and Car Safety, in 2024, 39 children died from being left in hot cars, making heat stroke a leading cause of death for children.
In 2025 alone, 19 children have died in hot cars, three of them being in one week.
KYMA spoke with the Yuma Police Department (YPD) to see if this was a problem in our community.
“In reference to cars and kids, we do get calls every now and then during the summer time, of you know, ‘Hey, there’s kids being left in a car.’ Don’t leave your kids in the car, even if your running into a Circle K or a store really quickly, don’t leave your kids unattended in a car. First of all, it’s just not safe,” said Sgt. Lori Franklin, Public Information Officer for YPD.
YPD would like to remind the community to stay hydrated, keep your kids indoors during the peak heat of the day, and never leave them in the car.