As parents, our lives can be extremely hectic, but we know the summer months in this region can be sweltering. That is why it's so important that we remember not to leave our children alone in a hot car. Safe Kids of North Carolina and the Department of Insurance gave a reminder Friday at an event at Jeff Gordon Chevrolet in Wilmington. To demonstrate the dangers, they placed a tray of marshmallows on the dashboard of a car and watched them cook. In just 10 minutes, the temperature inside the vehicle quickly rose to 135 degrees. "If you left your child in a vehicle and it was closed up - just in a matter of minutes the temperature can increase 19 degrees or more. That is not only a danger, but that is also deadly, and we've seen that happen throughout the southeast," said NC Commissioner of Insurance Wayne Goodwin. This year alone in the US, 18 children have already died from being left in hot cars. If you see a child or pet left unattended in a vehicle, call 911 immediately.