MINNESOTA-- It's that time of year, when the temperatures outside really start to affect the temperatures inside your car.
Every year we hear the warnings, don't leave your pets or your kids in a hot car, but every year pets and kids continue to die in these conditions.
A recent study out of San Francisco State University showed an outside temperature of 95 degrees will bring the temps inside a car up to 114 degrees within 10 minutes.
An hour later the temps can rise up to 138 degrees.
"We start to see more of these calls this time of year," Minneapolis Assistant Fire Chief Bryan Tyner says.
The rules for getting a kid or pet out of a hot car vary from state to state.
Tyner says here in Minnesota you should just call 911.
"I would not recommend you breaking the window yourself," Tyner says.
That's because here in Minnesota, first responders, firefighters and police, are protected from liability if they have to break open a window to save a kid or a pet. Regular people are not.
The state's Good Samaritan Law offers some protection when it comes to rendering aid in life or death situations, which offers you some protection when it comes to kids in hot cars, but the law is fairly vague and doesn't protect you in every situation.
Some states like Wisconsin have written specific laws that protect civilians from liability if they need to break open a window to save a kid or a pet.
However, here in Minnesota, no law exists.
That's why Tyner encourages people who come across a pet or a kid in a hot car to first, scan the area for a parent or an owner.
If you're unable to find one, take a look at the pet or the child and try to get their attention.
If they appear to be in trouble or are unresponsive call 911.
Tyner says some early warning signs of heat exhaustion include a flush face and heavy sweating for kids, and heavy panting for dogs.
In extreme cases the pet or child may be unconscious.
"We do have a law against leaving a pet in a hot car," Tyner explains. "It's a petty misdemeanor and a $25 fine."
In fatal cases the owner can also be given a felony for animal cruelty.
Depending on the situation, parents who leave their kids in a hot car can also be charged with child endangerment.