TAMPA, Fla. — The month isn't over yet, but this October is the worst in history for hot car deaths, according to a nonprofit.
Kids and Cars says five children have died in hot cars this month. On Monday, a 1-year-old in Tampa died after she was left inside a hot car.
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According to the nonprofit, at least 52 children have died in hot cars so far this year. That number is extremely close to last year, which Kids and Cars says was the worst year in history for hot car deaths with 54 children killed.
"While public awareness about hot car deaths is at an all-time high, so is the number of children dying in hot cars. This continues to happen because nobody believes it can happen to them. We need technological solutions to protect children," the nonprofit said in a press release.
RELATED: Child hot car deaths on pace to break last year's record
The group says they're working with more than 70 other organizations and parents whose children have died in hot cars to ensure the HOT CAR Act passes.
The proposed bill would require vehicles to be equipped with safety technology to detect and alert a driver to the presence of a child to help prevent these unthinkable fatalities, the group says.
For more information on the HOT CARS Act, click here.
