With the summer months upon us, now is the time to learn about the dangers of heatstroke and being trapped in a hot car. Heatstroke is dangerous and can be deadly.

Never leave children, pets, or older adults unattended in a parked car.

Use the following life saving tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to remind yourself and others to check the back seat before walking away from a vehicle. Children mistakenly being left in hot vehicles make up many of the tragedies reported each year.

• Look Before You Lock. Get into the routine of always checking the back seat of your vehicle before you lock it and walk away.
• A Gentle Reminder. Keep a stuffed animal or another memento in your child’s car seat when it is empty, and move it to the front seat as a visual reminder when your child is in the back seat. Alternatively, place your phone, briefcase, or purse in the back seat when traveling with your child.
• A Routine Check. If someone else is driving your child, or you alter your daily routine, always check to make sure your child has arrived safely.
• A Key to Safety. You know to keep your vehicle locked, but also keep your keys out of reach; nearly 3 in 10 heatstroke deaths happen when an unattended child gains access to a vehicle.

Learn more extreme heat preparedness at www.ready.gov/heat. If you would like to help spread the word about extreme heat safety, you can visit the Extreme Heat Social Media Toolkit for resources. Download the FEMA App for heat advisories and safety tips.

And Remember with the summer HEAT upon us…..STAY HYDRATED!