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With forecasts predicting temperatures in the 90s for portions of the state this weekend, AAA is urging motorists to keep their children, pets and vehicles safe during what is expected to be some of the hottest weather so far this summer.
“In just 10 minutes, a car can heat up by 20 degrees and become deadly,” said Megan Cooper, spokesperson, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “We are urging parents and caregivers to not underestimate the risks that excessive heat can pose and to understand that hot car deaths are preventable.”
According to NoHeatstroke.org, on average, 38 children die from heatstroke inside hot vehicles each year nationwide. Despite warnings from safety organizations each year, children continue to die from this preventable tragedy.
AAA-The Auto Club Group provides the following safety tips to help keep children safe:
– Don’t Leave Children Alone, Even for Short Amounts of Time – Never leave children unattended in a vehicle – even if the windows are open or the air conditioning is running.
– Teach Children That Vehicles Are Not Play Areas – Don’t let children play in an unattended vehicle. Teach your children that a vehicle is not an appropriate hiding spot in hide-and-seek.
– Keep Your Vehicle Locked – Lock your vehicle doors and trunk even in driveways and garages, and keep keys out of children’s reach.
– Make it a Habit to Check Your Vehicle – Before locking your vehicle and walking away, make it a habit to always check the front and back seats.
– Create Caregiver Reminders – If you normally drop your child off at a babysitter or daycare, ask the caregiver to call you if your child doesn’t show up as expected.
– Add Reminders in Your Vehicle – Put your purse, wallet or cell phone in the back seat. This way, you are reminded to look in the back seat before leaving the vehicle. You can also keep a stuffed animal in your child’s car seat. When the child is with you, move it to the front seat as a reminder that your child is in the back.
– Call for Help – If you see a child or pet alone in a locked car, call 911 immediately and follow the instructions of emergency personnel.
The soaring temperatures in a vehicle can also place your pets at risk. Never leave an animal in a parked car, even if the windows are partially open. Even on pleasant days, your vehicle can quickly reach a temperature that puts your pet in danger.