Never Leave Kids and Pets in Hot Cars During the Summer – Period!
There is no doubt that the summer heat is finally here. This means that we need to make sure that we take the necessary precautions to ensure we are protected from the sun and the heat – especially when it comes to children, pets, and vehicles. It only takes a few minutes for any vehicle to get extremely hot, even if the windows are cracked.
Two out of every five parents say they had seen a young child left alone in a parked car in the last year.
There have been countless cases of children and pets dying because they have been left unattended in hot vehicles. Even though it may not seem like a big deal, parents continue to make the mistake of “only running in the store for a minute.” A couple minutes can turn into 10 minutes easily, and that’s all it takes for put your pet or child at risk.
According to a study by San Francisco State University (SFSU), temperatures in a closed automobile rise approximately...
...19 degrees in just 10 minutes...
...29 degrees after 20 minutes...
...34 degrees in 30 minutes and...
...43 degrees in 1 hour.
The temperature could increase 50 degrees after a second hour.
What You Need To Know – Serious Damage Can Be Done In Just Minutes
- Heat stroke may occur when body temperature passes 104 degrees Fahrenheit or 40 degrees Celsius.
- Children and animals are more susceptible to extreme heat – making them more likely to feel the effects of hyperthermia in only minutes.
- Even though opening the window reduces the temperature in your vehicle, it’s not enough to prevent the potential impact of the heat in a vehicle.
- Just a couple minutes can be the difference between life and death.
It’s also important to make sure that your children do not wander into your vehicle or play in your car. They can quickly start feeling the impact of the heat in a vehicle in as little as 10 minutes.
SafeKids.org Study Reveals Stats About Leaving Children in Cars
Here are some stats that outline the importance of not leaving your children (or pets) in hot vehicles, and the need to take action if you witness this happening.
- 14% of parents say they have left a child alone inside parked vehicle despite the risks of heatstroke
- 11 percent of parents admit to forgetting their child in a car. For those with children three and under, it is nearly 1 in 4.
- Nearly 4 in 10 (37%) bystanders say they have seen a young child left alone in a parked car in the last year
See more about the study at: http://www.safekids.org/press-release/new-study-14-parents-say-they-have-left-child-alone-inside-parked-vehicle-despite#sthash.5EeFV8FZ.dpuf
See a Child or Pet Left in a Hot Car? What to do
If you see a child or pet in a hot vehicle:
- Assess the child or pets state – do they seem okay? Are there obvious signs of distress?
- Notify local security if they are present.
- Call 911 immediately if you suspect the pet or child is in danger. Follow their instructions.
- If you believe the child’s or pets life is at risk, do what you need to do to get them out of the vehicle.
- If the child or pet seems to be okay, go into the store and report it to management.
What steps do you take to ensure that your children or pets are not left in hot vehicles during the summer? Have you ever been faced with a situation where you noticed a child or pet was left in a hot vehicle?