CLEVELAND -- The death of a Medina baby earlier this week was a reminder that a tragedy can happen quickly if a child is left behind in the family car seat.

But NewsChannel5's Joe Pagonakis reported that new technology, as well as common sense, may be able to save lives.

Earlier this week, a Medina father simply forgot that his 9-month-old boy was still in the car, and the child died within two hours.

NASA is working on an alarm system that will alert you if a child is still inside the car.

A sensor is placed underneath the cushion of the car seat. Once your child's body weight activates the alarm, if you leave your child in the car, an alarm on your key ring will start to sound once you get 20 feet from your vehicle.

The horn will sound and lights on the car will flash.

Another warning system currently in use by the Philadelphia Police Department to protect their police dogs from hot cruisers involves cockpit temperatures. Once the interior of the car reaches 88 degrees, an alarm will sound and the windows will automatically roll down a bit to reduce the heat and possibly avert a tragedy.

With temperature in the 90s Thursday, NewsChannel5 spoke to northeast Ohio mothers and got their take on the two alarm systems.

"I think it could prevent someone from leaving a child, to be able to roll down the windows," said Sandy Stack, a mother of two.

"That's a good one; they won't suffocate," said Loreliez Williams, a mother of two. "Just for the parents (who) can't remember, that would be a good idea."

One common-sense tip is to keep a teddy bear in the car seat when it's not in use. When you put your baby in the seat, move the teddy bear to the front seat to remind you that you have precious cargo in the back.

Another tip is to leave your purse or other important belongings in the back seat with your child. This will help to remind you that your child is in the car.

Visit a Web site called Kids N' Cars to find more safety suggestions.