8 tips to prevent child heat deaths in cars

PHOENIX - Here in the desert it gets really hot outside and so does your car.

The temperature in a car can rise 20 degrees in 10 minutes and 30 degrees in just 20 minutes.

If it's 105 degrees outside, that means it can reach 135 degrees inside a car in 20 minutes which feels like an oven.

A child left in a car accidentally will never stand a chance of survival with this kind of heat.

On average there are 38 hypothermia deaths of children in vehicles a year across the US. All of these deaths can be prevented. Here are a few simple tips from the Phoenix Fire Department to help prevent this kind of tragedy.

• Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle, even for a minute.
• If you see a child unattended in a hot vehicle call 911.
• Be sure that all occupants leave the vehicle when unloading. Don't overlook sleeping babies.
• Always lock your car and ensure children do not have access to keys or remote entry devices. If a child is missing, always check the pool first and then the car, including the trunk. Teach your children that vehicles are never to be used as a play area.
• Keep a stuffed animal in the car seat and when the child is put in the seat, place the animal in the front with the driver.
• Or place your purse or briefcase in the back seat as a reminder that you have your child in the car.
• Make "look before you leave" a routine whenever you get out of the car.
• Have a plan that your childcare provider will call you if your child does not show up for school.