Hot cars are no joke

Editoral: It’s that time of year again. The time where getting into your car must be what it feels like for a turkey going into the oven at Thanksgiving. In just a matter of seconds, the sweat starts and the steering wheel is almost impossible to grip.
These sensations hit almost instantly but soon subside once the air conditioning kicks in. But imagine being stuck in that environment for 15, 20 minutes.
Always make sure your vehicles are empty after you park. According to kidsandcars.org, a car parked in 70-degree temperatures can reach an internal temperature of 104 degrees after just half an hour. This time of year, with temperatures threatening triple digits, cars can reach 170 degrees.
Kidsandcars.org also says children have died from heatstroke after being left in a car when the temperature was still in the 60s. Already this year, there have been seven recorded deaths related to hot cars in the United States.
These deaths are easily preventable. A checklist provided by Kids and Cars details the following steps to ensure your car is empty and your children (and pets) are safe:
- Make it a routine to open the back door every time you park
- Put some-thing in your backseat (cellphone, purse, etc.) to remind you to check
- Keep a stuffed ani-mal in a car seat and place the item in the front seat as a reminder that the ba-by is in the back
Summer is a wonderful time of year filled with outdoor activities, but the heat is not to be messed with. Be mindful of who is in your car and take the necessary steps to make sure your summer is only filled with smiles and excitement.

Hampton Chronicle

9 Second Street NW
Hampton, IA 50441
Phone: 641-456-2585
Fax: 1-800-340-0805
Email: news@midamericapub.com

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