Reminder: Don't leave kids or pets in cars

The internal temperature of a parked car can reach dangerous levels in as little as an hour.  Tampa Fire Rescue teamed up with Tampa police and the Florida Highway Patrol to put the danger into perspective on Friday.

"You can’t go to a store, park your car, and run in for two seconds to get a drink and leave you child or pet in the car," said Tampa Police Range Master Steve Smith.

Anyone who does leave a child inside of a hot car for any amount of time risks possible fines or even jail time. 

In their staged good Samaritan rescue scenario, officials strapped a doll into car seat, hooked up two thermometers, and locked the door -- then shattered the glass using a spring-loaded window punch. 

Firefighters suggest breaking the window that is the furthest away from the patient to keep them clear of shattering glass. 

It is lawful for a person to break into a vehicle in order to save a life, but whether or not to break the glass can be a tough decision. 

The Tampa Fire Rescue Medical Director, Dr. Rachael Semmons, offered key signs of distress to look for.

"If they are poorly responsive, or show any signs that they are flush or that they have vomited -- Those are signs that we've gone from a state of heat exhaustion to heat stroke," Dr. Semmons explained. 

Range Master Smith says the departments ultimate goal is for parents to stop leaving children in hot vehicles.  The same goes for pet owners.

“I don’t know what else to tell people, or to show them. Just pay attention. Take the extra time. Pull your kid out, go in the store, do what you have to do, and everybody goes back and everybody goes home safe and everything’s great.”