Summer Heat & Hot Cars: A Deadly Combination
Look Before You Lock. Forgotten Baby Syndrome.
Summer is here, and boy, is it HOT! 🌡️ With Arizona temperatures soaring between 104 and 107 degrees each July, it is more important than ever to understand the dangers of leaving children and pets alone in hot cars.
How Hot Can a Parked Car Get?
A study by Arizona State University and the UC San Diego School of Medicine found that on a hot summer day, a parked car’s dashboard and interior can reach 160°F in just one hour! At this temperature, a child or pet left inside is at severe risk of:
Third-degree burns Heat stroke Organ & brain damage
Even if you think, “I’ll only be gone for a few minutes,” Arizona’s extreme heat can create an emergency situation in minutes. Unforeseen delays could turn those few minutes into a life-threatening situation.
Preventing Hot Car Tragedies
According to KidsAndCars.org, about 38 children die every year from heat stroke due to being trapped in hot cars. Shockingly, 24 of those children gained access to a vehicle on their own.
✅ Safety Tips to Prevent Hot Car Deaths
Never let children play in parked vehicles – Cars are not toys!
Always check your car before locking up – Front & back seats!
Use an accountability partner – If your routine changes, have someone check in with you.
What to Do If You Find a Child or Pet in a Hot Car
Did you know that Arizona has a Hot Car Law? 🏛️ This law protects Good Samaritans from legal liability when rescuing a child or pet from a hot car, as long as these steps are followed:
1️⃣ Confirm the child or pet is in danger
2️⃣ Call 9-1-1 immediately
3️⃣ Check if the car is locked – Use only the necessary force to gain entry (e.g., breaking a window). 🪟
4️⃣ Stay with the child or pet until first responders arrive
Signs of Heat Stroke
If you rescue a child from a hot car, look for these symptoms: Hot, sweaty, flushed skin
Headache, nausea, vomiting
Confusion, slurred speech, agitation
Rapid, shallow breathing
Take Action: Learn CPR & Save Lives!
At Home Hazard Prevention, we believe in prevention and preparedness. Learning CPR could be the difference between life and death in an emergency. We offer mobile CPR training, so we come to you!
Call us today at 480-448-0266 to schedule your CPR training!
Stay safe, stay aware, and never leave a child or pet in a parked car!
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For expert firefighter-led safety solutions, trust Home Hazard Prevention to keep your family and business protected. Whether its CPR training, car seat education, or home hazard prevention, “Safety Nick” and his team are here to help-affordably and conveniently. Because when it comes to safety, experience matters! Contact Home Hazard Prevention today at (480) 448-0266 or [email protected]
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