Austin declares Hot Car Awareness Day as youth advocate urges habits to prevent vehicular heatstroke

Council member Crystal Lane read a proclamation declaring July 23, 2026, as Hot Car Awareness Day in Austin and urged residents to adopt a simple preventive habit: check the back seat every time. Lane cited statewide statistics and recent local heat-wave conditions, saying that Texas has lost roughly 155 children to hot-car incidents since 1998 and noting recent fatalities this summer.

Sally Raja, founder of Project Safe Ride, told the council the initiative has been recognized in nearly 20 Texas cities and 10 states and urged plastic habits and reminders to prevent pediatric vehicular heatstroke. "Look before you lock, check every seat every time," Raja said, urging community-based prevention and notifying 911 if a child is seen alone in a vehicle.