Wyoming Sheriff Issues Warning About Kids In Parked Cars

With the arrival of hot summer weather, Sweetwater County Sheriff Mike Lowell is warning people about the dangers of leaving kids in parked vehicles.

''Dozens of children die of heat stroke in parked cars nationwide every year," Lowell said. He went on to say many others survive, but suffer permanent injury. At least nine children have died from heat stroke across the country already this year, according to the sheriff.

He said studies show that a child's temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult's and even with the windows down on a hot day the temperature inside a parked car can top 120 degrees in just a few minutes. Heat stroke generally happens when body temperature reaches 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

A temperature of 107 degrees is considered lethal. The sheriff also asked people to not be afraid to get involved. ''If you see a child alone in a parked vehicle, call it in immediately," he said.

More information is available at the National Safety Council website.