The south can get so hot during the summertime you could fry an egg on your car. So, imagine how hot it can get inside. In 2022, about 33 child deaths reported due to heatstroke after being left in a hot vehicle. Leaving your child or pet in a hot car can be fatal. Read more on how to beat the heat with tips on hot car safety.
Kids
A child should never be left unattended inside a hot car. According to Memorial Herman, the temperature inside a vehicle can rise 20 degrees in as fast as 10 minutes. The worst part is it does not stop. A child is more sensitive than an adult because children overheat quicker. Heat stroke and heat exhaustion can happen within minutes, causing seizures, irregular heartbeat, heart attack, or damage to organs like the brain, liver, and kidneys. To avoid leaving your child in a car accidentally, try placing an everyday item in the back seat. Your cell phone or purse are things you carry often when you leave your car.
Pets
Pets can overheat like people, too. However, dogs have a different way of reacting to heat. Since they cannot sweat like humans, dogs pant to cool off. Breathing in the air from a hot car doesn’t solve the problem. Signs of heat exhaustion are excessive panting and drooling, glossy eyes, dark purple tongue, dry mucous membranes and frantic behavior.
5 ways to keep your car cooler or cool them down after a day in the sun:
1. Use a sunshade for your windshield.
Using a sunshade will cool your car off, blocking the UV rays from heating the car more. Adding sunshades to the other windows will give you a boost to a cooler car. Cracking your windows can help as well but watch out for afternoon rain showers.
2. Use seat covers.
Leather seats in the peak of a sunny day is not so fun to sit on. Cover your seats with seat covers, especially if the car is parked in direct sunlight. A blanket or beach towel will work if you do not have seat covers.
3. Park your car in a shaded area.
Finding a shaded area to park your car is better than parking your car directly in the sun. You will thank yourself while getting into the car after a long day at work.
4. Turn on the air conditioning.
After the heat exits the car, roll your windows up and turn on the air conditioning. If you do not have air conditioning, keep the windows down while driving.
5. Consider tinting your car's windows
Having tinted windows will make your car cooler, stylistically, and literally. Tint can block up to 99% of the sun’s UV rays. It can give your skin a bit of protection from the sun as well.
A cool and comfortable car is not promised in the middle of summer in the south. Stay cool and take precautions to beat the summer heat to avoid heat exhaustion in the car. Don’t let the heat ruin your summer.