SWEETWATER, Fla. – Law enforcement officials and several Florida agencies are teaming up to keep children safe during the summer by warning parents about the dangers of leaving children in hot cars.
"Unfortunately, every year we have tragedies throughout the United States, and that's a tragedy we can prevent," Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Joe Sanchez said.
Gilda Ferradaz with the Florida Department of Children and Families said 12 children have died in hot cars nationwide so far this year.
"The natural response for parents is to say that this is not going to happen to them. Be assured that all the parents that lost their child, they thought the same thing," Silvia Beebe, of DCF, said.
Sanchez said bystanders will be immune from civil liability if they immediately take action if they see a child or a pet alone in a vehicle.
Authorities said the quickest way for someone to get a child out of a locked car is by breaking the window.
"Don't take the chance, don't take the risk of trying to run inside your house, run inside a building real quick, leaving your child or pet inside of a vehicle, because you can come back and find that it had a tragic end," Miami Fire Rescue Capt. Ignatius Carroll Jr. said.