DON NOT LEAVE CHILDREN, PETS IN CARS IN THIS HEAT

It would be difficult to recall a more tragic story in recent days: A father drives to his teaching job on one of the hottest days of the year. He returns to his vehicle after a full day in school only to discover the body of his 2-year-old daughter still strapped in her car seat. He had forgotten to drop her off with a baby sitter.

The father's suffering cannot be fathomed. But his daughter's death is a brutal reminder that children and pets simply cannot be left in vehicles during these blistering summer days -- not even for a few minutes.

Please. Don't let anyone else become another statistic. It is too hot to take any chances.