Health experts remind parents, caregivers about the danger of leaving kids in hot cars [Video]

LANCASTER, Pa. — As the first heat wave of the year arrives this week, a Lancaster County agency is reminding parents and caregivers about the danger of leaving kids unattended in hot cars.

Vehicular heatstroke is one of the leading causes of non-crash, vehicle-related death for children ages 14 and under in the United States, the Municipal Emergency Services Authority of Lancaster County said Tuesday in a press release. 

Since 1998, when safety advocates first began tracking vehicular heatstroke, the condition has killed more than 965 children, MESA said.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an average of 37 children die annually because of vehicular heatstroke. 

Each death was preventable, according to MESA.