KIDS AND PETS IN HOT CARS ARE NO MIX DURING SUMMER HEAT

Never Leave Children, Disabled Adults or Pets in Parked Vehicles

CHARLOTTE (June 7, 2016) – With the summer heat upon us, it’s a good time to remember just how dangerous a car can be when kids and pets are left unattended.  Heat is one of the leading weather-related killers in the United States, with some 37 deaths of children annually attributed to being left in a hot vehicle, according to www.kidsandcars.org.

At CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts, North America’s most trusted brand for auto body repair, the focus isn’t just on repairing vehicles, it’s on protecting the safety of the drivers and passengers in those vehicles any time they are on the road.

“We want to do everything we can to educate drivers about the safety of their vehicles in the summer sun,” said Dean Fisher, COO for CARSTAR Auto Body Repair.  “We encourage drivers to plan their trips so there is no need to leave anyone – or pet – in a vehicle that isn’t running with the air condition turned on.  And, it’s important to remember that even a few minutes in a hot car can have catastrophic effects.”

According to the National Weather Service, dozens of children and untold numbers of pets left in parked vehicles die from hyperthermia each year.  Hyperthermia is an acute condition that occurs when the body absorbs more heat than it can handle.  Hyperthermia can occur even on a mild day.  The effects can be more severe on children because their bodies warm at a faster rate than adults.

Studies have shown that the temperature inside a parked vehicle can rapidly rise to a dangerous level for children, pets and even adults.  Leaving the windows slightly open does not significantly decrease the heating rate.  On an 85-degree day, the temperature inside a car with the windows opened slightly can reach 102 degrees within 10 minutes.  After 30 minutes, the temperature will reach 140 to 190 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

The non-profit safety group, KidsandCars.org says that many heat-related automotive tragedies occur because a driver sometimes forgets a child is there.  Kids can also get into unlocked cars without any adult knowing it happened.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Association has some tips to help keep kids and pets safe during the heat of summer:

• Never leave kids, disabled adults or pets alone in a hot car, even briefly
• Always check the front and back seats of the car before locking it and leaving
• See a kid alone in a hot car? Call 911 immediately. Get them out ASAP if they are in distress
• Put a purse, briefcase, or something else needed by the car seat to prompt a check of the backseat
• Always lock the car when it’s empty so kids can’t get in without an adult knowing