WATCH: United Hatzalah warns against the danger of leaving children in hot cars amid latest death

United Hatzalah has issued a stark warning against leaving children unattended in hot cars following the tragic death of a 5-year-old boy in Lod, Israel. The child was found unresponsive and suffering from heatstroke after allegedly being left inside his family's car for about two hours on Sunday.

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It can happen to loving, responsible parents.

According to preliminary investigations, the family had returned home from a drive, and the boy had fallen asleep in the vehicle. Approximately two hours later, his father realized the child was missing from the house and discovered him unconscious in the car. Emergency services, including Magen David Adom (MDA) paramedics, arrived at the scene and performed advanced resuscitation efforts before transporting the boy to Shamir Medical Center, Assaf Harofeh, where he was pronounced dead.

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Before you leave your car, stop for one second and look in the back seat.

MDA medics described the boy as unconscious, without a pulse, and not breathing, exhibiting clear signs of heatstroke. Despite intensive efforts to save his life during transport, he could not be revived. Police have opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, collecting evidence to determine how the child came to be left inside the vehicle.

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They took a child out of a private vehicle who, according to them, had been locked inside for a prolonged period.

This heartbreaking incident is not an isolated one. Data from Beterem, Safe Kids Israel, reveals that between 2021 and 2025, 23 children have died in similar circumstances in Israel. United Hatzalah emphasized that such tragedies can befall any loving and responsible parent, urging them to "stop for one second and look in the back seat" before leaving their car.

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He was very hot to the touch, and I immediately began resuscitation efforts.