So far in 2016, 11 children nationwide have died from being left in hot cars. On Wednesday, an 8-month-old baby died in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, from the heat in a car.
Last summer, a woman rescued a baby from a hot car in a Merriam parking lot. That's what prompted Missouri legislators to propose a good Samaritan bill.
Amber Andreasen is the director of KidsAndCars.org, an organization that advocates for child safety in and around vehicles.
Andreasen said the legislation would protect people who try to rescue children trapped in a vehicle from being held liable for any civil damages.
Of the 11 children who have died this year, all of them were under the age of 3.
It's recommended that all kids up to 2 years old use a rear-facing car seat, but from the front, that car seat looks the same whether there is a baby in it or not.
"So you can't see them, you can't hear them, there's no cue to remind you that they're back there," Andreasen explained.
Dr. Eric Peters at Overland Park Regional Medical Center explained children overheat much faster than adults. By some estimates, a child's body can overheat three to five times faster than an adult's.
Peters said, "The smaller kids are at the highest risk because they can become dehydrated the fastest, also their temperatures can change much more quickly when you're smaller."
Right now, the good Samaritan bill sits on Gov. Jay Nixon's desk for his signature.
"If someone walking by has the ability to save that kid's life, that's something that we as a community can all do for our children," Peters said.
Kids And Cars recommends you always look before you lock your car. Get in the habit of always checking the back seat. As a reminder, put something you're going to use throughout the day, like a cell phone, in the back seat.
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Shannon Halligan can be reached at shannon.halligan@kshb.com.
