NHTSA raises awareness about heatstroke prevention

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched an all-day social media campaign to raise awareness about heatstroke prevention. The campaign is hoping to start a conversation that will inform the public about the dangers that heatstroke can pose to those left in cars during the sweltering summer.

NHTSA began tweeting every 15 minutes starting at 7 am EST on Monday, July 31, 2017.

Leaving kids alone in cars is not only illegal in many States, but on a warm day it's downright lethal.

Vehicular heatsroke can occur when a child, elderly person, or pet is left or trapped inside a car or truck.

According to the NHTSA, a car can heat up by 20 degrees in ten minutes. Even when it doesn't feel that hot outside, the temperature inside a vehicle can rise quickly enough to kill someone.

Since 1998, 7,251 children have lost their lives in heatstroke tragedies--25 this year alone.

The NHTSA believes understanding how and why these tragedies happen is the key to protection.

The NHTSA has put together a list of tips to help citizens take action to prevent heatstroke tragedies.

WATCH: Woman smashes window to rescue toddler locked in hot car.

To learn more about heatstroke-related deaths and how you can prevent them, click here.