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LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - The State of Louisiana is recording high temperatures this summer. One big thing to be aware of is heatstroke deaths, especially for children when left unattended in a vehicle.

In the summer of 2023, Louisiana reported about 80 deaths related to heatstroke.

Some of these deaths happened due to being in a vehicle with no air conditioning for a long time, especially children.

“Last year statistically, 29 children died of heatstroke. One in four of them were accidental, we want to be mindful, we want to make sure people have hydration, air conditioning,” Westlake Fire Chief Jonathan Duff said.

If you are sitting inside a vehicle where the outside temperature is 93 degrees, and it feels like the temperature is 104, that it is only three degrees away from the temperature in which a child can die if let in a vehicle with no air conditioning.

“I believe that a child’s body temperature rises about five times faster than an adult, and if their internal body temperature reaches 107 degrees, they can die of a heat stroke,” Duff said.

Duff provided tips to avoid a death in a vehicle due to excessive heat.

“Some of the things we can do to help from forgetting things in a vehicle that are alive would be put something valuable, leave a bag in the back seat, leave a reminder. There are a lot of vehicles that have alert systems in them,” Chief Duff said.

Whether it’s a child, elder or pet, excessive heat can affect anyone.

Whether you are a parent or a bystander, acting quickly can save a life. If you see a child alone in a car call 911 immediately.

The Louisiana Department of Health has updated its heat dashboard website to provide Louisiana residents tips, data and statistics to help them through the extreme heat.