With the hottest temperatures of summer on their way, AAA is warning motorists of the dangers of a hot vehicle.
For a vehicle even on a moderately sunny day, temperatures can rise up to 20 degrees in just 10 minutes, with children and pets particularly vulnerable.
Each year on average, 38 children under the age of 15 die in hot cars, according to the National Safety Council. In 2022, 33 deaths occurred and for 2023, 14 children have died. A majority of the deaths are accidental, but are often preventable.
Parents and/or guardians should never leave children unattended in a vehicle, even if it is for a minute, and if the vehicle is tinted or the windows are down. The same recommendation applies to pets and the elderly triple A says.
When arriving at a location, make sure all children have exited the vehicle, most new vehicles sold today include a visible and audible warning alerting the driver to double check their back seats. Once everyone is out, make sure the vehicle is locked and keys are out of reach.
If you ever see a child alone in a parked car, AAA says to immediately call 9-1-1 for emergency assistance.
When it comes to your pet and the heat, the best method is to leave them at home while you run your errands. For dogs, they cannot sweat like humans and will overheat much faster and rolling a window down has little effect when keeping them cool and comfortable.
