Jun. 16—As the current heat wave continues and temperatures near 100 degrees are predicted through the end of the week, AAA East Central reminds motorists about the dangers of leaving children and pets in a hot car.
More than 900 children have died of heat stroke in the last 25 years after being left or trapped in a vehicle. In just 10 minutes, the temperature inside a vehicle can heat up by 20 degrees and become deadly, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
"A child's body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult's and when a child is left in a hot vehicle, the situation could become life-threatening very quickly," said Lori Cook, safety advisor, AAA East Central.