Summer has officially arrived in the Valley, bringing with it triple-digit forecasts, even at night, and extreme heat that can quickly become dangerous. Yet one summer risk remains underestimated: how quickly a parked vehicle can become life-threatening for a child.

For the next several months, the Valley will likely experience 100 or more days of triple digit temperatures, with stretches of days exceeding 110 degrees. During the hottest months, vehicles parked in direct sunlight can reach interior temperatures well above 140 degrees in just a matter of minutes.

Many caregivers believe cracking a window, parking in the shade or leaving the air-conditioning on while running a brief errand offers protection for kids in the car. Unfortunately, these measures do not provide reliable protection. Temperatures inside a vehicle can rise nearly 20 degrees in minutes. Even on cloudy days or in shaded areas, interior temperatures can still reach life-threatening levels.

Children are especially vulnerable to heat-related illness because their bodies heat up three to five times faster than adults. They also dehydrate more quickly and may not always be able to communicate when they’re becoming overheated or distressed.

Importantly, these situations do not happen only because someone intentionally leaves a child behind. Most cases involve a disruption in routine. A parent takes a different route to work. A grandparent steps in for pickup. A sleeping child stays quiet in the back seat while a caregiver is juggling schedules, work calls or stress.

These scenarios can happen to anyone. Even the most attentive caregivers can experience a momentary lapse when they are tired, distracted or managing competing responsibilities. That is why building simple, consistent habits matters.

One of the most effective steps is to make checking the backseat part of your routine every single time you park your vehicle. Place something next to your child in the back seat that you cannot leave the car without, such as your phone, purse, work badge, briefcase, laptop or even a shoe. Retrieving the item will be automatic before you lock the door and walk away.

Communication can also be lifesaving. If a child does not arrive at childcare or camp as expected, providers should call immediately. Likewise, if there is a change in routine or someone else is driving your child, make a habit of confirming safe arrival.

Prevention extends beyond transportation. Curious children sometimes climb into parked vehicles while playing and become trapped inside. Keep vehicles locked when parked, store keys and fobs out of a child’s reach and teach children that cars are never safe places to play.

If you see a child alone inside a vehicle, act immediately. Call 911 and if the child seems in distress or is unresponsive, take steps to get them out as quickly as possible. Even if that means breaking a window. Several states, including Arizona, have “Good Samaritan” laws intended to protect individuals who act to rescue a child or pet from a hot car.

During a season when temperatures regularly soar well above 100 degrees, prevention comes down to one simple but powerful habit: always look before you lock.

Blanca Villaseñor is a senior injury specialist at Phoenix Children’s, offering education and outreach to make the world a safer place for kids. For more information, visit www.phoenixchildrens.org.