With a heat wave continuing across the region, The Christ Hospital Health Network offers some tips for keeping you and your family stay safe this summer.
The inside of your car can become very dangerous when the temperatures heat up. The glass windows in your vehicle act as an insulator and can contribute to the inside reaching up to 200 degrees in a short amount of time.
On a day that is just 72 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature inside the car can increase by 30 to 40 degrees in just one hour.
The most vulnerable to the heat are children and pets.
Never leave them in a closed car or even with a window cracked or down—the inside will still heat up and become dangerous and deadly.
Jeffrey A. Craven, MD, medical director of The Christ Hospital Urgent Care Center recommends these tips to keep your vehicle safe and cool during hot summer days:
Park in the shade. While your car will still get warm, this will help keep the temperatures down. If there is no shade, park with the sun shining into the rear window to avoid the steering wheel and front seats from getting hot.
Use a sunshade. Windshield covers keep harmful rays from entering your vehicle. Your car will warm up, but the shade helps keep the temperature from reaching extreme levels.
Use window shades when traveling with a child. Window shades keep dangerous sun rays off your child and can keep an unoccupied car seat cooler. These temporary shades can be kept up or down and are removable.
Keep leather seats covered. Leather seats and steering wheels can get so hot they can cause burns. Avoid a hot seat and steering wheel by covering them up with a cloth or towel.
Use caution when buckling up. Metal seat belt buckles can reach extreme temperatures when exposed to the sun and can also cause burns. Use caution when buckling up and help children handle the metal part of the buckle. The strap of your seat belt may feel warm, but don’t loosen it. Keep children buckled up securely at all times when traveling in a car.
Stay hydrated. Always travel with a bottle of water during the summer. Staying hydrated is very important during the dog days of summer. Having an extra filled water bottle is also important in case of a breakdown or emergency.
If you’ve suffered a burn or feel dehydrated, seek medical attention immediately.