AAA Warns Against Leaving Kids Alone In Hot Cars

AAA and other groups are warning about how dangerous it is to leave children alone in the car, especially in the summer months.

They said in the past 22 years, there have been 29 deaths related to this in Oklahoma.

"Just today it's 60 something degrees out here, but in my vehicle it's 105 degrees, and that can mean death unfortunately for a small child," said Beth Washington with SafeKids Tulsa.

She said Oklahoma hasn't had any deaths in the past two years and she hopes it stays that way.

Assistant Fire Marshal Bryan Runyan said even ten minutes in a hot car could be fatal to a child.

"That heat plays a harder role on their little bodies. They aren't able to withstand the temperature and time like an adult could," he said.

Runyan said body temperature only needs to raise four or five degrees before there are serious medical issues, and kids cannot handle it.

"That affect is two times faster, three times faster, and affects them much more serious because they just have tiny baby organs that they are dealing with," he said.

They said if you see a child alone in a car, take immediate action and call 911.