The Indiana State Police are warning against leaving children unattended in vehicles for even the shortest periods.

According to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration when the outside temperature is 80-100 degrees a vehicle parked in direct sunlight can reach internal temperatures up to 131-172 degrees. The report added that approximately 25 children die each year as a result of being left or becoming trapped in hot vehicles. A few children died when parents forgot their child was in the back seat of the vehicle.

State Police summer safety tips:

• Teach children not to play in, on or around vehicles and be clear about the dangers of doing so.

• Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle, even with the window slightly open or the air conditioner on.

• Always lock the vehicles doors and trunk, especially at home, and keep vehicle keys and remote entry devices out of children’s reach.

• Install a trunk release mechanism, if your vehicle does not have one, so that children cannot get trapped in the trunk.

• Make sure child care providers or day care workers have a plan in place to ensure that kids are not left in day provider cars or vans.

• Place something that you’ll need at your next stop such as a purse, lunch, briefcase, gym bag on the floor of the backseat where the child is sitting. This could help prevent you from accidentally forgetting a child.