As dangerous temperatures grip much of the country this week, Kids and Car Safety is urging families to remain vigilant about the life-threatening dangers of hot vehicles.

Even on days that don’t seem excessively hot, temperatures inside a parked vehicle can rise by 20 degrees in just 10 minutes.

During a heat wave, a vehicle can quickly become deadly for children and pets in minutes.

Every year on average, approximately 40 children die in hot cars and hundreds of pets. In over half of hot car deaths, the person responsible for the child’s death unknowingly left them in the vehicle.

Most parents and caregivers believe this will never happen to them.

Approximately 25% of hot car deaths are the result of a young child getting into a parked vehicle and not being able to get back out. Eighty-six percent (86%) of children who have died in a hot car are age 3 and younger.

“No parent ever believes this could happen to them, but these tragedies affect loving, attentive families every year,” said Amber Rollins, executive director of Kids and Car Safety. “A small change in routine, fatigue and a loss of awareness of a quiet baby in the back seat can have irreversible consequences. We urge everyone to make it a habit to check the back seat every single time they park, even if you believe this could never happen to you.”

Kids and Car Safety recommends:

• Look Before You Lock: Open the back door and check the back seat every time you exit your vehicle.

• Never leave a child or pet alone in a vehicle — not even for a minute.

• Keep a stuffed animal in the back seat. Anytime you buckle your child into the car, move that stuffy to the front with you as a visual cue that the child is with you.

• Lock your vehicle and keep keys out of reach to prevent children from climbing inside.

• If a child goes missing, immediately check the inside of all vehicles in the area, even if they’re locked.

• If you see a child or pet alone in a hot vehicle, call 911 immediately.

• Be especially careful during changes in routine.

• Ask your childcare provider to call you immediately if the child doesn’t show up as scheduled.

Every hot car tragedy is preventable.

As temperatures soar this week, a few simple habits can save lives.

Learn more about hot car dangers and how to keep children and pets safe by visiting https://www.kidsandcars.org/hot-cars/facts-sheets.