WASHINGTON, Missouri -- Along with the lazy, hazy days of summer lurks a potential killer. Temperatures inside a vehicle -- even with the window cracked -- can reach lethal levels in a matter of minutes.

A new survey released by Kids in Cars (http://www.kidsincars.org) shows that many parents and caregivers have left a child under the age of 12 unattended in a vehicle, suggesting that these adults are not aware of the potential deadly consequences that can occur in a matter of mere minutes.

Results from the survey showed that 24 percent of American adults with children under 18 living at home have left a child under age 12 alone in a vehicle. This issue is more alarming when there are younger children living at home: 28 percent of American adults with children under six living at home and 33 percent of American adults with children aged 6-12 living at home have left them alone in a vehicle. (Source: Harris Interactive(R) Poll, April 2005)

The study also shows that the "kids in cars" issue spans all socio- economic levels including age, gender, education, income level and employment status.

"A car can quickly become an oven, even with mild outdoor temperatures," said Kids in Cars Executive Director Terrill Struttmann. "Cars are not meant to be childproof, and children should never be left alone in a vehicle -- not even for a minute."

According to a study done by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, when it is 93 degree Fahrenheit, a car parked in direct sunlight can reach 131-172 degrees Fahrenheit in only fifteen minutes. At that temperature it only takes a matter of minutes for children to die or suffer permanent disability.

As every parent and caregiver knows, it's tempting to leave children alone in cars while running a quick errand. Kids in Cars offers parents the following tips to help prevent leaving children alone in vehicles:

• * Plan ahead to use drive-through services where available such as pharmacies and banks. More and more services are adding drive-through convenience, including dry cleaners, restaurants (beyond fast food), libraries, grocery stores, and even dog grooming. A quick search on the Internet will help you find convenient drive-through services in your area.
• Call dry cleaners and other businesses to schedule pick-up and drop-off services at your vehicle. Many businesses will provide curbside service if you call ahead.
• * Make advance arrangements for your child-care provider to meet you at your vehicle. Alternatively, plan extra time within your pick-up/drop-off routine to bring all children inside with you.
• * Use your debit or credit card at the gas pump.

  * Ask grocery store clerks to load your bags into your vehicle and return the grocery cart.

• * If possible, leave your children with a responsible adult. Arrange a baby-sitting co-op with your neighbor to give you an hour to run errands.
• "It's amazing that parents won't leave ice cream in a car for fear of it melting, yet they'll leave children alone in the same conditions," noted Struttmann.

In addition to heat stroke and hypothermia, other risks from leaving children unattended in vehicles include abduction, setting a vehicle in motion, trunk entrapment and even fatal car crashes. Struttmann and his wife, Michele, founded Kids in Cars in 1999 after their two-year-old son, Harrison, died from being struck by a van set into motion by two toddlers left unattended in the running vehicle.

"We are on a mission to save lives," Struttmann stated. "Planning ahead and taking responsibility can help eliminate the injuries and deaths caused by leaving children unattended in or around cars."

Kids in Cars is a Missouri-based, national, non-profit organization dedicated to preventing injuries and deaths that occur due to children being left unattended in or around motor vehicles. Kids in Cars has embarked on a mission to pursue preventative legislation in all 50 states to make sure that no child is ever, not even for a minute, left alone in or around a motor vehicle. For more information on Kids in Cars, donations or volunteering please visit http://www.kidsincars.org/ .

Harris Interactive Poll(R) conducted this survey on behalf of Kids in Cars. Please contact Kids in Cars for complete methodology.