KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — With temperatures expected to rise to the 90s this weekend, local law enforcement agencies are discussing the dangers of leaving their children inside a hot car.
Sevierville Police Department Sergeant Caleb Brien said a few minutes inside a car during the summer can become deadly. For example, if it is 85 degrees outside, temperatures inside could be over 100 degrees in 10 minutes or less.
According to Kids And Car Safety, in over half of hot car deaths, the person responsible for the child unknowingly left them in the vehicle. Because of that, Brien recommends putting your phone or purse in the backseat.
"Make sure you are being thorough when you get out of your car," Brien added. "You know, individuals get into a routine, but we want to make sure, if they have children, that they are checking that back seat if they were to get out of the shopping mall or the grocery store."
Experts recommend you also make sure your vehicles are locked and the keys are out of reach of children when you are home.
"That is probably one thing that a lot of people do not think about," Brien pointed out. "Kids love to play in and around vehicles and if a child goes missing, we want [parents] to check the automobile first."
Legally, you can break a window in Tennessee if you see a child or pet in distress inside a locked vehicle. There are, however, some steps you have to follow first.
Brien said you must call 911 to inform authorities. You then have to make sure the car is locked and you also have to see that the child is in imminent danger of suffering harm if not immediately removed from the vehicle.
Experts emphasize forgetting a kid in a car can happen to anybody.
"We want to make sure that everybody is vigilant in checking their back seats and making sure their car is secure at home because we never want to run this type of call," Brien added. "We absolutely do not want any members of the public to be on the other end of this being that it has happened to them."
SPD said calls about children or pets trapped in cars are not uncommon in Sevier County, particularly because of shopping centers in the area.
Studies show an average of 38 children die each year from heat-related injuries while trapped inside a car in the U.S.