Hot weather poses hazards for children, pets

As temperatures rise, Las Cruces police and fire departments jointly issued a reminder to residents that parked cars function as ovens in hot weather, endangering people or pets left inside.

“…the interior temperature of an enclosed vehicle can rise more than 19 degrees Fahrenheit after only 10 minutes in the sun, 34 degrees after 30 minutes, and 45-50 degrees in about one hour,” the city stated in a news release. “The rapidly increasing interior temperature of a vehicle can cause injury to people and pets, even when outdoor daytime temperatures are in the 80s or low 90s.”

That includes overcast days, the agencies said, and moreover, the common practice of leaving windows partially open makes little difference.

Death or critical injury can follow when a person’s core temperature reaches or exceeds 104 degrees, they said.

The emergency agencies issued a list of safety tips for hot weather:

• Do not leave pets or people in a vehicle, even with windows lowered.
• Place a purse or wallet in the back seat as a reminder of a child in the car.
• Do not leave pets or people in the bed of a pickup, as the surface temperature can rise quickly.
• Shade, breezes, wind, clouds and sunset do not eliminate the danger of hot temperatures inside a vehicle.
• Don’t leave your vehicle running with the air conditioning on: “Your vehicle could be stolen in seconds.”
• Don’t over-exercise dogs in hot weather, and remember that paved surfaces remain hot after sundown. Bring pets indoors during the peak heat of the day.
• Pets need shade, ventilation and plenty of water.
• Lock your car at all times it will be unattended and do not allow children to use vehicles as play areas.
• Check on neighbors, particularly the elderly, as to whether they have circulation and cool air in their homes.
• Call 911 right away if you see a person or pet in an enclosed vehicle.
• Seek immediate medical attention for people or pets suffering excessive heat.