SAN ANGELO, TX — "Every 10 days a child dies of a heat stroke in a vehicle," said Mona Lisa Didelot, a traffic safety specialist.
So far in 2018, 18 children have died of vehicular heat stroke, and two of those are in Texas, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.
Didelot says most cases where a child was left behind happened because they were forgotten.
"The caregiver got out of their routine or added something to their routine," said Didelot.
But it doesn't take long for a child to suffer the consequences.
"At 107 degrees the child’s temperature once it reaches that, that's when they die," said Didelot.
TxDOT demonstrated just how quickly and hot a vehicle can become in a short period of time.
"Cars overheat by 20 degrees higher than what it is outside, you can see by our thermometer out here already it’s a good 60 degrees over the temperature that’s outside the vehicle," said Didelot.
TxDOT suggests if you need some sort of reminder to check your backseat try putting something like a cell phone or a purse there.
"One, we check the backseat we make sure nobody’s in it and then,” said Didelot. Two, we lock up that vehicle and we put the keys away so that they can't get into the vehicle.
And never leave your child unattended. If you also see anyone in a backseat with no adult supervision, and even if the windows are rolled down, call 911.