Fairfield officials say they are reminding people about the dangers of heat and hot weather Thursday.  

Fairfield Police Chief Gary MacNamara and state Rep. Brenda Kupchick held a press conference on the town's “Heat Kills” initiative.

They say the goal is to make sure people do not leave their pets or children in cars, which can become much hotter than the outside air.

"If they see a dog or they see a child that's in distress, we're asking you to call the police,” says Chief Macnamara. “This is an emergency situation, if you witness that in a hot car, you can see how this evolves. We know there are cases throughout the country where animals and children are left in hot cars and die. We're trying to prevent death from happening.”

There are currently over 70 signs in area parking lots, shopping centers and stores.

The initiative started in 2015.