TEMPERATURES ARE HEATING UP AND THE TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES CHILD CAR LICENSING TEAM IS INCREASING ITS FOCUS ON TRANSPORTATION OF CHILDREN.  CHILD CARE LICENSING PROGRAM EVALUATORS WILL CONDUCT ADDITIONAL UNANNOUNCED VISITS TO CHILD CARE AGENCIES APPROVED TO TRANSPORT CHILDREN.  THESE VISITS ARE CONDUCTED DURING HOT SUMMER MONTHS TO ENSURE AGENCIES ARE FOLLOWING TRANSPORTATION SAFETY RULES TO PREVENT CHILDREN FROM BEING LEFT IN A VEHICLE UNATTENDED.  RULES REQUIRE AGENCIES TO HAVE IN-HOUSE TRANSPORTATION POLICIES, APPROPRIATE SUPERVISION, AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR LOADING, UNLOADING AND TRACKING EACH CHILD.  THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES ENCOURAGES CHILD CARE PROVIDERS AS WELL AS PARENTS TO "LOOK BEFORE YOU LOCK" TO KEEP CHILDREN SAFE FROM HEAT RELATED DANGERS.  NEVER LEAVE A CHILD ALONE IN A VEHICLE, EVEN IF THE WINDOW IS CRACKED OR IF YOU ARE PARKED IN THE SHADE.  TEMPERATURES INSIDE A VEHICLE CAN REACH DEADLY LEVELS IN JUST MINUTES.  PLACE AN ITEM SUCH AS YOUR PURSE IN THE BACK SEAT NEXT TO THE CAR SEAT SO THAT YOU'LL ALWAYS HAVE TO CHECK THE BACK SEAT BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE CAR.  AND IF YOU SEE A CHILD ALONE IN A CAR, CALL 9-1-1.  IF A CHILD IS IN DISTRESS DUE TO HEAT, GET THEM OUT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE AND COOL THEM OFF.  FOR MORE TIPS ON KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE IN VEHICLES, VISIT THE WEBSITE SAFERCAR.GOV.