With temperatures reaching into the 30 degrees Celsius mark, first responders are reminding us about the importance of not leaving kids unattended in vehicles.

Police say when outside temperatures hit just 20 degrees, the interior temperature of a car can reach over 40 degrees in under an hour. Seventy per cent of this increase happens in the first half hour, and children will begin to feel the effects within minutes.

Sargent Sukh Rhandawa with Okotoks RCMP says children shouldn't be left in cars even if the ignition is running.

"Even though people say 'well my AC's on and my child or pet is cool', that kind of  thing, no, your child or pet is unattended at this time. Anything can happen. The child can crawl onto the seat... anything can go wrong in a vehicle. We always recommend that you don't just leave the child in the car because the AC is on, take them with you."

Rhandawa says people need to keep kids health top of mind.

"It takes a very long time for a child's body to adjust and cool off, so it's a complete no-no from a police perspective to leave kids and pets in a car. Why we're encouraging not to do this is because at the end of the day it's a safety thing for the kids."

The Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act allows police to charge a parent with causing a child to be in need of intervention. The penalty may include a $25,000 fine and/or two years imprisonment.

Rhandawa says if you spot a child, or pet, left unattended in a vehicle, to call RCMP or 9-1-1.