Boy, It’s Hot Outside, But It’ll Only Take a Second

Imagine a crowd gathering around a car in a parking-lot just outside your local supermarket. As you walk out of the market, a sense of curiosity peaks your interest as make your way toward the crowd. The closer you get, you realize the crowd is surrounding your car. Suddenly, an overwhelming sense of fear and terror strikes you because they’re visibly upset and desperately trying to break your car window. In the distance, you hear sirens and they’re only getting louder.

This narrative is fictional, but all too real for some people. We know you live by your daily routine which helps you get things done. Be extra careful though when that routine requires you to place your pets and kids in a precarious situation, especially with increasing summer temperatures.

What you need to know, now:

Vehicles heat up quickly! If the outside temperature is in the low 80’s, the temperature inside a vehicle can reach deadly levels in only 10 minutes – even if a window is rolled down a few inches. Children’s bodies overheat easily. Infants and children less than 4 years of age are among those at the greatest risk for heat-related illness.

When left in a hot vehicle, a young child’s body temperature may increase three to five times as fast as an adult. Children’s bodies absorb more heat and are less able to lower their body heat by sweating. When a body cannot sweat enough, body temperatures rise rapidly, which can cause permanent injury or even death.

Here are 5 helpful tips we can all follow:

• Never leave a child or a pet unattended in a vehicle.
• Do not let your children play in an unattended vehicle. Teach them that a vehicle is not a play area.
• Never leave infants, children or pets in a parked vehicle, even if the windows are partially open.
• Always keep your vehicle locked to prevent children from getting inside and becoming trapped.
• If you see a child or a pet alone in a hot vehicle, call the police. If they are in distress due to heat, get them out as quickly as possible. Cool the child or pet rapidly. Call 9-1-1.

The California Highway Patrol’s #1 mission is to save lives. Please share these important safety tips with your childcare providers, teachers, relatives, friends, family and neighbors…it could save a life!

For more information go to :http://www.kidsandcars.org/ and www.chp.ca.gov