Summer months show an increased risk for heat related emergencies. These emergencies, like hyperthermia and heat stroke, happen much faster in un-air conditioned cars. Use these 5 easy tips to keep you, your family, and your pets safe this summer.
- Never leave children in the car, even to run a quick errand. In just three minutes in the sun, car interior temperatures can heat up from 78 to 100 degrees, putting your kids in danger of hyperthermia or heatstroke.
- Don’t take your pet on a ride if they can’t come inside. If you are driving to destinations where you cannot bring your pet inside with you, don’t bring them in the first place. Leaving them alone in a hot car will only put them at serious risk. According to PETA.org, pets can suffer serious injuries when left in a hot car for only 15 minutes.
- Use the drive-thru when possible. If one is available, a drive-thru is a great way to stay in the air-conditioned car with your children or pets. No drive-thru? Take your children with you and leave pets at home.
- Open the back door of your car each time you park to ensure all passengers are out of the vehicle. When schedules are crazy and you are in a hurry, you may forget to double check that your children or pets are safely out of the car. Even if you remember several minutes later, your kids and pets can be in serious danger in a hot car.
- Make sure your car is always locked. Prevent your child from playing in a hot car that is parked in your driveway or garage by ensuring that they cannot get into the car. Keep any car keys and keyless entry remotes in a safe place where your kids cannot access them.
If a child is locked in a hot car, call 911 immediately. These types of emergencies get worse with time and cannot wait.
Source: https://www.titan.com/child-car-safety-hot-cars.jsp
See http://www.kidsandcars.org/ to get more information on this issue.
