Coffin cars

Too many kids left in autos to die.

Isn’t it time Texas stopped leading the nation in the number of children left in hot cars who die?

Five Texas children were among the record 51 who died in hot cars across the nation last year. Since 1990, Texas has seen 120 children die of heatstroke in hot cars, according to KidsAndCars.org. That makes the Lone Star State first in the nation for that statistic. Florida ranked second, with 89 deaths over the same period.

It’s been against the law in Texas to leave a child alone in a vehicle since 1985, but it continues to happen. A 2-year-old Humble child died of heatstroke in September after being left in the car overnight by her parents. They reportedly fell asleep after coming home from a party and didn’t notice the little girl was still in the car until noon the next day.

Olga Esquivel and Angel Esquivel-Blanco, both 25, are charged with child abandonment in the incident. Olga Esquivel is also charged with tampering with a corpse.

Parental neglect isn’t always so blatant. Many remorseful parents or other adults transporting children can’t explain how they left them in cars that became ovens. Often they were so intent on other chores or concerns that they never looked back at the vehicle as they left it.

David Diamond, a University of South Florida psychology professor, says “forgotten baby syndrome” can happen to anyone. The same “semantic memory” that allows someone to seemingly drive home on autopilot can come into play.

Stress, distraction or sleep deprivation can also cause a driver to forget a child is in the back seat.

Federal legislation that would require car manufacturers to equip new vehicles with a child safety alert system hasn’t been embraced by Congress. However, a technological solution may soon be available to consumers.

A newly patented device can detect whether a child or pet has been left in a car by measuring whether carbon dioxide is being exhaled within the vehicle by a living creature. Called Payton’s Charm in memory of a Florida girl who died in 2010 in a hot car, the device will text your phone with a message that someone in your vehicle may need help.

In the meantime, Texas Children’s Hospital suggests putting an item you need — a briefcase, wallet or cell phone — in the back of your car or next to children to remind you not to leave them behind when you get out of the vehicle.

People need to do more than wring their hands every time a child is found dead inside a hot car. Pay attention! That not only goes for drivers who may forget a child is in their car, but also for passersby who should act if they see a young child left alone.

Call 911 even if the child appears to be fine. Your quick action might save a life.