MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) -
We all know how it feels to hop inside a hot car.
"It's like an oven," says Dr. Tom Miller with the Alabama Department of Public Health.
And with no ventilation, Miller says your body will react.
"The heart beats extra fast trying to cool the body, sweating leads to dehydration."
Miller says no matter how old you are, the consequences of prolonged heat exposure are chilling.
"You can have serious organ failure and that can lead to death. Heat stroke itself is defined as 104-degrees."
Miller says anything that raises your body temperature that high should be avoided.
"Life of your individual, your loved one is too precious."
Some families aren't taking any chances.
"Your kids could die in the car of heat exhaustion with the way temperatures are nowadays. That's sad," says Eric Williams.
"Any living thing, pets included. It's very important. Bring them out of the car with you," says another resident.
Officers with the Montgomery Police Department say they haven't heard of any cases this summer of children left in cars with no ventilation.
They say the circumstances would determine if it is a criminal offense.
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