From the Keene Police Department:

‘Look before you lock’ to prevent hot car deaths

Temperatures are rising and that means the inside of your car is getting hotter too.

Children and pets are especially prone to being harmed by a heat stroke, and according to experts, it doesn’t take a car long to reach deadly temperatures. In fact, it only takes a car 10 minutes to heat up to 100 degrees when it’s 80 degrees outside.

So, what can you do?

A good rule of thumb is to “look before you lock.” That means to check the back seats of your vehicle before locking it and walking away. If you’re going to transport a child, even if it’s something you do on a regular basis, put something in the backseat, a purse, cellphone or wallet, that you need once you get to your destination. This way you are reminded to look in the back seat before leaving the vehicle. Some people have even taken off their left shoe and put it next to a car seat in the back.

The soaring temperatures in a vehicle can also place your pets at risk. Never leave an animal in a parked car, even if the windows are partially open. Even on pleasant days the temperature inside a car can soar to well over 100 degrees in less than 10 minutes, placing your pet at risk for heatstroke and possibly death.

Additionally, caregivers should be mindful of the dangers of heat when traveling with the elderly. As people age, it becomes more difficult to regulate temperature and the ability to sweat decreases, making the elderly more at risk of heatstroke than younger adults.