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Danger of Summer Heat for Those Left Behind

Temperatures inside Car Can Climb About 20 Degrees Every Three Minutes

Grandpa fastens child in booster seat

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (July 8, 2015) – As stifling heat continues to rise in Virginia, AAA reminds motorists of the real dangers of leaving any living being that cannot help itself unattended in a car for any amount of time. “Think of your car just like your kitchen oven, where temperatures rise very quickly,” said Georjeane Blumling, spokesperson for AAA Tidewater Virginia. “The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that temperatures inside of a car can climb from 78 degrees to 100 degrees in just three minutes and to 125 degrees in 6-8 minutes. With temperatures rising at the rate of about 20 degrees every three minutes, it is easy to see how a seemingly quick stop can very quickly turn disastrous.”

NHTSA offers the following tips for motorists:

  • Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle.
  • Do not let your children play in an unattended vehicle. Teach them that a vehicle is not a play area.
  • Never leave infants or children in a parked vehicle, even if the windows are partially open.
  • Make a habit of looking in the vehicle - front and back - before locking the door and walking away.
  • If you are dropping your child off at childcare, and normally it's your spouse or partner who drops them off, have your spouse or partner call you to make sure the drop went according to plan.
  • Ask your childcare provider to call you if your child does not show up for childcare.
  • Always lock vehicle doors and trunks and keep keys out of children's reach. If a child is missing, check the vehicle first, including the trunk.
  • If you see a child alone in a hot vehicle, call the police. If they are in distress due to heat, get them out as quickly as possible. Cool the child rapidly. Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

In addition, AAA Tidewater Virginia offers the following helpful tips:

  • Keep bottled water in your vehicle for all living beings including pets.
  • Before entering a vehicle that has parked in high temperatures, open the vehicle’s door and let the interior cool for a few minutes.
  • A sun shield can be used to cover the windshield to minimize heat build-up and to help protect the automobile’s interior.
  • Cover metal and plastic parts on safety belts and child safety seats to prevent burns.
  • A properly working air conditioning system will also help motorists keep their cool in summer heat. If needed, have the air conditioning serviced by a qualified technician, using the refrigerant R-12 in older systems or R-134A in new or modified air conditioners. Do not use non-approved substitute refrigerants.
  • Always have a fully charged cell phone with you if possible in order to call for help if the vehicle breaks down.

As part of North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA Tidewater Virginia provides its more than 325,000 members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding AAA Tidewater Virginia has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.  For more information, visit AAA.com and follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/AAATidewaterVA or on Facebook at facebook.com/AAATidewaterVirginia

CST 1016202-80 Copyright © Tidewater Automobile Association of Virginia, Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.
AAA Tidewater Virginia is a member club affiliated with the American Automobile Association (AAA) national federation and serves members in the Tidewater Virginia region (All Hampton Roads cities, including Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Hampton, Newport News, Williamsburg; Virginia's Eastern Shore; as well as the following counties: Greensville, Surry, Brunswick, Isle of Wight, Gloucester, Lancaster, Middlesex, Richmond County, Southampton, Sussex, Mecklenburg, James City County, York, Lunenburg, Essex, King & Queen, Mathews, Northumberland, and Westmoreland).