An Important Summer Car Reminder

With the summer heat here, it’s the perfect time to keep in mind just how dangerous a car can be when kids and pets are left unattended.  Heat is among the biggest weather-related killers in the US.

At Car Craft Auto Body in St. Louis, MO, the focus isn’t just on repairing vehicles, it’s on protecting the well-being of the drivers and passengers in those automobiles any time they are driving.

We would like to do everything we can to teach drivers about the safety of their motor vehicles in the summer sun.  Car Craft Auto Body encourages vehicle operators to plan their trips so you do not have to leave anyone – or any pet – in a motor vehicle that isn’t running with the air condition turned on.  And, it’s crucial that you bear in mind that even a few minutes in a hot car can have disastrous effects.  You always want to take those extra precautions to ensure the safety of your young ones.

Research indicates that the heat inside a parked automobile can swiftly rise to a dangerous level for young children, pets and even adults.  Leaving the windows slightly open doesn’t significantly decrease the heating rate.  On an 85-degree day, the temperature inside a vehicle with the windows opened slightly can reach 102 degrees within 10 minutes.  After thirty minutes, the temperature will reach one hundred twenty degrees.

According to the National Weather Service, a lot of children and untold numbers of pets left in parked vehicles die from hyperthermia annually.  Hyperthermia is an acute condition that develops when the body absorbs more heat than it can manage.  Hyperthermia can occur even on a mild day.  The effects can be much more serious on children because their bodies warm at a quicker rate than adults.

The non-profit safety group, KidsandCars.org states that many heat-related motor vehicle tragedies occur because a driver sometimes forgets a child is there.  Kids can also get into unlocked cars without any grownup knowing it happened.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Association has some tips to help keep little ones and pets safe during the heat of summer:

  • Never leave young ones, disabled adults or pets alone in a hot car, even briefly
  • Always remember to check the front and back seats of the car or truck before you lock it and leave
  • See a child alone in a warm car? Call 911 instantly. Get them out as soon as possible if they’re in distress
  • Put your purse, briefcase, or something else you need by the child car seat so you don’t forget to check
  • Always lock your automobile when it’s empty so kids can’t get in without you knowing

The people at Car Craft Auto Body in St. Louis, Missouri also helping the people in Bridgeton, Chesterfield, Florissant, Wildwood, Maryland Heights, and South County, MO are so happy that you are taking the time to read about the significance of summer automobile safety. If you want more great tips, stop by our shop today.