We lose 37 children to hot car deaths each year in the United States, and every one of these horrible tragedies is preventable. Parent awareness of and attention to proven tips is crucial.

Temperatures inside a car can quickly rise to dangerous levels. Hot car deaths have occurred even when the outside temperature was below 60 degrees. The temperature inside a car can heat up 19 degrees in just 10 minutes, and cracking the windows does not significantly decrease the temperature of a vehicle. Since children’s bodies heat up 3 to 5 times faster than those of adults, they are especially vulnerable.

For busy, sleep-deprived parents and caregivers, a change in routine or a simple distraction can have heartbreaking consequences. To help keep your child safe:

• Never leave a child alone in a car—not even for a minute.
• Look before you lock—develop a habit to check the rear seat each time you park the car.
• Keep vehicles locked and key fobs out of reach. Teach children that cars are not play spaces.
• Place a reminder item like a stuffed animal in the front seat when your child is in the back.
• Arrange for your childcare provider to contact you  right away if your child hasn’t arrived as scheduled.
• If you see a child alone in a car, call 911. Emergency personnel are trained to respond, and one call could save a life.

“Our goal is to ensure no parent ever has to experience this kind of loss,” says JPMA’s Joe Colella. “By working together and staying vigilant, we can save lives.”

Learn more at jpmacares.org/car-seat-safety-tips, safekids.org/heatstroke, and kidsandcars.org.