With the heat of summer, state officials remind parents and caregivers that it's never safe to leave a child unattended in a vehicle.

Department of Children & Family Services spokesman Trey Williams says that on hot summer days the temperature inside a car can rise 20 degrees in a matter of just minutes.

In Louisiana, 21 kids have died of heat stroke from being left alone in a car since 1989. Williams says that's too many. He says with school out and, perhaps, kids in daycare or camp routines are thrown off, and tragic mistakes can be made.

Leaving a child unattended in a vehicle in Louisiana is punishable with up to 6 months jail and fines up to $500.

He says parents and caregivers must take steps to assure they never forget about little ones in the back seat. He offers some tips.

Williams says there are other useful tips to help prevent a forgotten child tragedy on the DCFS website, at dcfs.louisiana.gov.