We are reminded how hot our cars can get as we move into the hottest months. Our hands burn on the steering wheel, seat belts and seats. Imagine being trapped in your car with no air conditioning.

This is a sad reality for many children, especially during this time. Each year, 37 children are killed by the heat from a closed car. While many of these children are left behind, others manage to escape from their cars or hide in trunks. They are rarely left in cars by their caregivers because they only intend to leave them there for a few minutes. But as you’ll see, every second matters.

These incidents are most likely to happen in the summer, or when it is hotter. This is especially true in warmer climates. It is therefore more important than ever at this time of year to raise awareness about the dangers of hot cars. However, heat stroke-related deaths in children can happen at any time.

Children’s heatstroke risk is constant because their body temperature rises 3 to 5 times faster that adults. Children and unattended cars are dangerous because the car’s temperature can rise up to 20 degrees in a matter of minutes. Heat stroke can also occur outside at temperatures as low as 56 degrees Fahrenheit, even if the windows are open and the vehicle is parked under cover.

Moral of the story: Never leave your child in a car seat. Sometimes, however, it is easy to forget your child if they are young. This is evident by the fact that 87% of victims were 3 years old or younger. Experts believe that younger victims are more likely to be killed than older ones. This could be due to the fact that they are less likely to see the driver.

What if you see a child in a car seat? Call the police immediately. Some states have laws that can protect you against criminal or civil charges if the window is broken to save the child. It is not guaranteed that it won’t affect your Illinois auto insurance if it is your car. You should exercise caution and use your best judgment as not all states have these “Good Samaritans” laws.

Unfortunately, not all states have laws that make it illegal to leave your child alone in a vehicle. Even though a small percentage of child deaths are caused by hot cars leaving children unattended, legislation could bring attention to the issue and help save lives.

It is important to raise awareness. Parents should double-check their vehicles before they leave it. Children should also be reminded not to play near cars. If you see a child trapped, be alert and ready to help.