Temperatures across the country are rising and as they do, the dangers of leaving your children inside a hot car increase.
Already, 23 children have died of heat stroke nationwide after being left inside a hot car.
Two of the deaths happened this month, one in Missouri and the other in Florida.
>>Read: Two dads create device to remind parents not to leave children in cars
In all of 2015, only 25 children died of heat stroke related to being left inside a hot car.
It can take only minutes for temperatures inside a car to top 100 degrees and rolling down a window will not make any difference, according to information from research organization Kids and Cars.
Children have died inside hot cars where the temperature outside was as low as 60 degrees, so even if doesn’t feel overly hot, leaving a child inside a car is still dangerous, the organization said.
- "Look Before You Lock" ‐ Get in the habit of always opening the back door to check the back seat before leaving your vehicle. Make sure no child has been left behind.
- Create a reminder to check the back seat.
- Put something you'll need like your cell phone, handbag, employee ID or brief case, etc., in the back seat so that you have to open the back door to retrieve that item every time you park.
- Keep a large stuffed animal in the child's car seat. When the child is placed in the car seat, place the stuffed animal in the front passenger seat. It's a visual reminder that the child is in the back seat.
- Make sure you have a strict policy in place with your childcare provider about daycare drop‐off. Everyone involved in the care of your child should always be aware of their whereabouts. If your child will not be attending daycare as scheduled, it is the parent's responsibility to call and inform the childcare provider. If your child does not show up as scheduled; and they have not received a call from the parent, the childcare provider pledges to contact you immediately to ensure the safety of your child. (this is very similar to the 'absence‐line' used by most elementary, middle and high schools)
- Keep vehicles locked at all times, even in driveways or garages. Ask home visitors, child care providers and neighbors to do the same.
- Keep car keys and remote openers out of reach of children.
- Never leave children alone in or around cars; not even for a minute.
- If a child goes missing, immediately check the inside passenger compartments and trunks of all vehicles in the area very carefully, even if they are locked. A child may lock the car doors after entering a vehicle on their own, but may not be able to unlock them.
- If you see a child alone in a vehicle, get involved. Call 911 immediately. If the child seems hot or sick, get them out of the vehicle as quickly as possible.
- Be especially careful during busy times, schedule changes and periods of crisis or holidays. This is when many tragedies occur.
- Use drive-thru services when available (restaurants, banks, pharmacies, dry cleaners, etc.) and pay for gas at the pump.
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