Don’t Leave Pets or Kids in Hot Cars [VIDEO]

What a beautiful weekend we had! But with all that warm weather comes some responsibility. Don't leave your pets or your children in the car, even with the windows cracked.

It's incredible how quickly it happens. On an 80 degree day, a car parked in the sun for two minutes can have an internal temperature of 94 degrees. In two minutes! Imagine if you were gone longer than that. Cracking the windows does very little to alleviate the climbing temperature since the air outside is hot, as well.

Throughout the summer, I hear reports on the scanner of cars with dogs or even children inside on warm days. And that's key. It doesn't have to be hot out. A warm day can have the same, albeit slightly slower, effect.

Still don't believe it? Check out this video done by a British organization that shows a dog made of ice left in a hot car. If you're still doubtful, put a cold bottle of water in your car, crack the windows, and leave it in the sun for 10 minutes. Then, try to drink it. Or, hey, sit in the car yourself! I'm guessing you won't last long!

Children, dogs, cats, the elderly. They're all at risk. So, if you have to run errands, do them a favor and leave them at home. Or with a neighbor. Or, in the case of your children, take them inside with you.

Another thing to remember as the weather warms up is that pets should not be left outside without a way to get out of the sun. Make sure they have plenty of water in a shaded area, so it won't get hot. And the best alternative is to leave them inside with a fan or air conditioner and plenty of cool water.