AAA is reminding you not to leave your child or pet in the car as summer heats up.
Dozens of children and pets die every year from being locked inside a car on a hot summer day. Nationally, 12 kids have died from vehicular heatstroke this year. Three of those deaths have occurred since Memorial Day.
Ken Grant of AAA Mid-Atlantic said a car can heat up to more than 180 degrees in a few minutes on an 85 degree day.
“Even if it's a relatively cool, nice 70-80 degree day it can quickly heat up inside the car. You want to avoid heatstroke. You want to avoid any condition that can put the life of a child or pet in danger,” Grant said.
Half of all child deaths from vehicular heatstroke are caused by parents accidentally leaving children in a car.
Grant recommends putting a stuffed animal in the passenger seat to remind yourself your child is in the back.
He says if you see an unattended child or pet in the back of a locked car you should call 911 immediately.
Some states allow you to break one of the car’s windows in that situation.
Delaware does not.
