AAA warning motorists not to leave children or pets in their cars during the hot summer months

Posted on July 26, 2021
AAA reports on a pleasant day a car’s inside temperature could reach over 100 degrees in 10 minutes. (Photo courtesy: Pixabay/File)

By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – As the ‘dog days of summer’ begin, AAA is offering tips to keep children and pets safe during the hottest months of the year.

As temperatures rise above 90 degrees and feel like temperatures much higher, AAA reports excessive heat can pose significant risks to motorists, including heatstroke in hot cars.

Despite warnings, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports 883 children have died from heatstroke since 1998.

“People often think that something like this could never happen to them. However, many heatstroke deaths are accidents, where a parent or caregiver forgets the child is in the back seat,” said Molly Hart, a spokesperson for AAA.

As a result, AAA recommends people never leave children unattended in a vehicle during the summer months.

Additionally, AAA says if a child or a pet is alone in a hot car to call 911.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

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