TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Two Florida children have already died this year due to being left inside hot cars.
Nationwide, almost 40 kids died last year due to heatstroke.
The Department of Children and Families is reminding parents to always stay focused and use extra safety measures to ensure that no kid is accidentally left in a hot vehicle.
This could include placing a briefcase or purse in the back seat near the child. During hot summer days, the temperature in a car can go up 20 degrees in just ten minutes.
DCF's Walter Sachs says daily routines are often different during summertime, as kids are out of school and family schedules tend to vary more often.
Under Florida law, it is illegal to leave a child unattended in a car any time of year. DCF says if you ever see a kid left alone in a car, you have a responsibility to call 911.
And you can see Jade Bulecza's in-depth insiders report on preventing hot car deaths here.
