In 2017, 42 children died due to pediatric vehicular heat stroke according to the National Safety Council.

Washington County Emergency Management Coordinator Marissa Reisen says it is an issue that people need to be thinking about this summer, “Every year about this time we start seeing a lot of issues where kids are left in the backseat of a vehicle. Even if the windows are cracked, even if it’s only 70 degrees outside, it’s still a really, little kids and pets can die because the car gets so hot so fast.” Last year, the West Liberty Police Department did an experiment where an officer sat in a car to see if he could endure the heat for 20 minutes. It got so hot and uncomfortable that he didn’t make the 20 minute mark, and the glass on the thermometer he took with him broke.

Reisen shares some tips on how to jog your memory and force yourself to always check the backseat, “Do whatever you need to do to make sure you remember your kids, your pets, don’t leave them in the car, make sure you take them out. There are actually some apps on your phone, both Apple and Android phones have [it] available for free that’s some sort of reminder. I know I’ve heard some people will take off their left shoe and put it in the backseat, so that when they get out of the car they have to get their shoe so they remember to get their kids as well. So if you need to do something to help remember, do whatever you have to do.”

The National Safety Council also recommends that you keep your car locked when you are not in it so kids don’t get in it without your knowledge. If you see a child alone in a car, call 911.