CHARLOTTE, N.C. — With dangerous summer heat gripping the Carolinas, AAA is reminding drivers that the inside of a parked vehicle can become deadly in just minutes for children and pets.

According to AAA, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise by about 20 degrees in just 10 minutes, even if the outside temperature doesn’t seem extreme. The organization says more than 1,000 children have died in hot vehicles nationwide since 1998, averaging about 37 deaths each year.

AAA urges drivers to never leave a child or pet inside a vehicle, even briefly. Safety experts recommend checking the back seat every time before locking the car, placing a personal item in the back seat as a reminder, keeping vehicles locked when parked and calling 911 immediately if a child is left alone inside a vehicle.

The extreme heat also increases the risk of vehicle breakdowns. AAA says high temperatures can shorten battery life, increase the chance of tire blowouts, cause engines to overheat and reduce the effectiveness of engine fluids. Drivers are encouraged to have batteries, tires, cooling systems and fluid levels checked before traveling.