Leaving the kids or pets in the car, even for a quick run into the store, risks their life.
On a 72 degree day, the temperature inside a car can rise 20 degrees in just 10 minutes.
Children are especially at risk of suffering from heatstroke because their bodies heat up five times faster than adults. Their bodies sweat to keep cool, but pets only sweat through their paws, causing them to overheat much faster.
The common misunderstanding is that tradegies like this only occur when the weather is extremely hot.
The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians reported 19 children have already passed away this year. Most of these deaths were accidental and preventable.
AAA urges parents and guardians to place a wallet or cellphone in the backseat with the passenger to ensure the driver remembers to remove them from the car.
