BAKERSFIELD, CA - It's hot. And, it will be much hotter in your car, potentially reaching deadly temperatures for children and pets, when it's left sitting outside.
Community leaders stressed that Friday, kicking off Purple Ribbon Month. The August campaign honors children who have lost their lives in and around cars in preventable accidents.
"I've responded to those calls where children are locked in a car and it's an emergency. It's no different than somebody having a heart attack. It's no different than a house on fire," said Brian Marshall, Fire Chief of the Kern County Fire Department.
Eighteen kids have died in hot cars this year in the country. One case is from Bakersfield. In May, a five-year-old boy died after he got into his car seat and fell asleep.
Experts say keep your doors locked, call 9-1-1 if you see a child locked in a car unattended, and leave a purse or cell phone next to the child to help remind you, even if you think you'll remember your baby is back there.
"I always say have you ever driven to work on accident on Saturday? Or have you ever walked in a room and forgot why you walked in a room? That's all it takes," said Heidi Carter-Escudero with the Department of Human Services.
In a demonstration during Friday's kickoff, an air conditioned car registered 86 degrees. Once the car was turned off, a half hour later, the temperature shot up to 104 degrees. And, the temperature continued to rise in heat and danger to any person or pet left inside.
"They don't even know that they should get out of that vehicle if they are in distress," said Carter-Escudero.
In another demonstration, they showed why kids shouldn't play around cars.
Lining children behind an SUV, the driver was to signal when they saw any sign of a kid in the mirrors. It took 31 kids before anything was visible.
"Usually when a small child plays behind a car, they usually hide directly behind the bumper and so there is no way for the parent to actually see that kid," said California Highway Patrol Public Information Officer, Robert Rodriguez.
Rodriguez says to always walk around the car before you takeoff.
The state law says no child under the age of six should be left alone in a car without someone who is at least twelve years old.