Danger: Unattended Children/Pets Left in Cars

 Children are less able to regulate their body temperature, and extremes will adversely affect them, whether they  result from natural or manmade causes. According to national data, heatstroke deaths are the leading cause of noncrash related auto fatalities for children ages 14 and younger, more than half under 2 years old.  The body of a child heats up faster than that of an adult and most of these deaths occur in the summer.  Even if the outside temperature is 72 degrees, in less than 30 minutes the interior of a car will have reached a deadly temperature.  It does not matter whether the windows are open or closed.  Symptoms of heatstroke require immediate attention and include shock, collapse, a temperature of over 104 degrees, fainting, seizures and inability to walk.  

 Children and pets left in cars can die of heatstroke in minutes.  However, in this country, hundreds of pets also die after being left in hot cars.  The American Veterinary Medicine Association reminds us that before a pet is put in a vehicle, ask if you really need to take the pet with you.  If the answer is no, leave the pet safely at home.