When temperatures rise, so does the risk of car crashes.

That’s the upshot of a new report from the safety solutions company DEKRA, which found that summer heat reduces drivers’ ability to concentrate and react to road conditions. To help keep cars — and their drivers — cool, the German auto inspection company offers several recommendations:

• Because air conditioning is the best way to cool down temperatures inside a vehicle, it’s best to have a mechanic make sure it is working properly, especially before taking longer road trips.
• When it’s hot outside, it’s also wise to park in a cool underground garage whenever possible. Barring that, park in the shade or use window shades to keep the sun from building up the vehicle’s interior heat.
• Do not leave children or animals inside a parked vehicle since the greenhouse effect can amplify sunlight and increase cars’ indoor temperatures, leading to vehicular heatstroke.
• Do not drive barefoot because it compromises a driver’s ability to operate the accelerator and brake pedals.