Limpopo heatwave: don’t leave children or pets in vehicles urges the AA
As temperatures in Limpopo soar again today, the Automobile Association (AA) warns all motorists not to leave children or pets in vehicles, even for short periods of time.
“Temperatures in cars can climb very rapidly, and even if a window is cracked slightly open, the inside temperature will exceed outside temperatures by several degrees. Children and pets who are left in cars are vulnerable and can become dehydrated quickly,” they explained.
The consequences of leaving children and pets in hot, badly ventilated cars is extremely dangerous and must be avoided at all costs.
https://www.citizen.co.za/review-online/245355/heatwave-conditions-continue-limpopo/
How hot can it get in a locked car?
Leaving your dog or child in the car during the summer (even when it doesn’t seem all that hot to you) is similar to putting them inside of an oven. The temperatures heat up so quickly that they becomes completely helpless when trapped inside the car on a hot day.
Heat stroke may occur when body temperature passes 40 ºC. Symptoms include severe thirst, weakness or disorientation, severe headache, nausea and vomiting, as well as muscle cramps and may lead to a lss of consciousness, and or death
On a 29 ºC day, it only takes 15 minutes for the inside of your car to reach 42 ºC, even with the windows left open an centimeter or two.
Within 30 minutes a car’s interior can reach 49 ºC. Even when the temperature outside is a pleasant 21 ºC the inside of your car may be as much as 20 degrees hotter. So imagine if the temperature outside is 39 ºC. Shade offers little protection on a hot day and moves with the sun.
Leaving the windows partially open is not enough. Parking in the shade won’t keep the car cool enough either.
Association also urges road users to be careful in wet weather which may follow scorching heat in some parts
The AA concludes: “In addition, these hot summer days may be followed by heavy downpours, and may, in some cases, even lead to floods. For this reason all road users must ensure they drive, walk or cycle safely across bridges and main roads. There are still some severe weather warnings for parts of the country issued by the South African Weather Service, and road users are urged to check local weather listings for any potential weather hazards in their area or on their routes. We also warn road users not to take chances in areas with low-lying bridges. Remember, your safety, and that of any passengers, is more important than anything else so be careful when driving in dangerous conditions.”
Information via Automobile Association (AA)
