Get ready for the Dog Days of Summer
Did you know
When the outside temperature is 70 degrees, a car's interior can heat up to 89 degrees in just 10 minutes, and to 104 degrees in 30 minutes. NEVER leave a child or pet unattended in a parked car. AND cracking open a window doesn't help.
Extreme heat can pose a danger to you, your loved ones and even your car.
Here are tips from trusted resources with steps you can take for protection from extreme heat.
QUICK TIPS FOR YOUR HEALTH
Symptoms of Heat Stroke
-
Throbbing headache.
-
Dizziness and light-headedness.
-
Lack of sweating despite the heat.
-
Red, hot, and dry skin.
-
Muscle weakness or cramps.
-
Nausea and vomiting.
-
Rapid heartbeat, which may be either strong or weak.
-
Rapid, shallow breathing.
-
Behavioral changes such as confusion, disorientation, or staggering
-
Seizures
-
Unconsciousness
Risks and Preventive Measures
You probably also already know to drink extra water on those hot and humid days. Doing so can keep you safe from heat illnesses like heat cramps, heat exhaustion and the possibly fatal heat stroke.
Young children and elderly adults are especially at risk.
People taking certain medications may also have an increased risk of adverse reactions to the heat.
And, even though a summer barbecue wouldn't be the same without a cold beer, drinking alcohol outdoors can put you on the fast track to heat illness if you're not careful.
QUICK TIPS FOR YOUR CAR
Your Car's A/C System
Using the Re-circulation button helps get your car as cool as possible when it’s hot outside and you have the A/C on.
To cool the interior of your car quickly, roll down your windows for a bit when you first get going to get rid of the built up hot air in your car then turn on the A/C.
You don’t want to use Recirculated Air in the winter because it traps humidity inside the car, resulting in super foggy windows – not good! So when it’s cold outside, make sure that Re-circulation is NOT selected.
QUICK TIPS FOR PET OWNERS
When is it OK to leave a pet
unattended in a car?
Never. In fact many states have laws that make it illegal to leave an animal unattended in a parked vehicle.
The temperature inside your vehicle can rise almost 20º F in just 10 minutes. In 20 minutes, it can rise almost 30º F...and the longer you wait, the higher it goes. At 60 minutes, the temperature in your vehicle can be more than 40 degrees higher than the outside temperature. Even on a 70-degree day, that's 110 degrees inside your vehicle! And cracking the windows makes no difference.