This Memorial Day Weekend could see temps in the 70s and next week maybe even the 80s! And as we rush to remember all the seasonal tips about how to stay cool in the heat, one of the most important things to remember is this: Don't your pets or your kids in a car unattended when the weather is hot like this.

You shouldn't really leave them unattended in your vehicle ever, especially not when the potential for something to go wrong is so high.

If you think about it, your car/truck/van is basically a giant metal container, right? And we all know (because of science) that when you heat up a metal container, it's not a really fun place to be in for long. It's hard to believe that people still forget the danger of hot cars, but they do. And the results are tragic. 

Big Cheese Photo
Big Cheese Photo
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According to the website injuryfacts.nsc.org, 2018 & 2019 were record-setting years for the number of kids who died in hot cars. That's a terrifying thought.

"The number of child hot car deaths for 2020 is currently 4... On average, 39 children under the age of 15 die each year from heatstroke after being left in a vehicle. Nearly every state has experienced at least one death since 1998, and in 2018, a record number of 53 children died after being left in a hot vehicle, closely followed in 2019 with 52 deaths."

PetrBonek
PetrBonek
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And according to ASPCA.org, it can take just a matter of minutes for the temperature to rise to a deadly level on a hot day, enough to cause heat stroke to a pet inside. And the results of forgetting Fido in a hot car could translate into legal action in some parts of the U.S.

"As of May 2018, 28 states have laws concerning companion animals left unattended in parked vehicles under dangerous conditions, such as intense weather conditions. Some of these laws involve legal action against the vehicle owner, while other laws provide immunity to those who may use forcible means—such as smashing a window—to rescue a vulnerable animal in a car."

Lindsay_Helms
Lindsay_Helms
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Life is one distraction after another, and one slip could mean disaster. So rather than risk the potential for something that terrible to go wrong-- if you can, leave your kids and pets at home on hot days--or at the very least if you're heading out to the water (like so many are planning to this week, I bet) make sure to be vigilant about who is in your car when you get out of it.

It's also worth noting that sometimes kids like to play hide-and-seek in cars. If a kiddo should climb into a hot car to hide...It's important to keep an eye on your kids and keep your vehicles locked (to lessen the risk of such an accident happening.)

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Not trying to be a Debbie Downer, but I don't want to see anyone suffer because of something that could have been prevented. Please remember to be safe when it comes to your cars and your little loves on hot days like these.

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