In warm weather, the interior temperature of a car can get very hot very quickly, which is extremely dangerous to a child left alone in the vehicle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports heatstroke is the leading cause of death for children under 14 involved in non-crash vehicle-related accidents.

"With summer temperatures hitting record highs around the country, child heat stroke is clearly an issue of national concern," said U.S. transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "Public education is the best way to help parents and caregivers prevent tragic accidents and keep their children safe."

There are many products on the market that claim to prevent parents from accidentally leaving their kids in the car, but a recent study by the NHTSA and The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) found these devices are unreliable and cannot be trusted as the only line of defense in preventing child heatstroke. CHOP analyzed the effectiveness of available products that connect to a child's safety belt and found any number of situations can render them useless. If a child slouches in his or her seat or spills a drink on the device, it may not alert the driver if they leave their kid in the car when exiting.

These devices are also ineffective when it comes to children finding their way into their parents' parked cars. If a kid decides to play in the car, he or she may get locked in. It is important for parents to consider other strategies to ensure their child is safe around the vehicle. Keeping a car locked and leaving the keys out of a child's reach can stop children from trying to play inside a vehicle. Putting a purse, wallet or phone with the child can also serve as a reminder to double check the backseat when getting out of a car.

Drivers looking for a new family car can head to New Jersey State Auto Auction. The dealer carries a variety of vehicles, from minivans to SUVs and midsize sedans, so shoppers will be sure to find something that fits their families' needs.