Because North American summers are hot, the National Weather Service (NWS) wants you to be aware of the dangers of heat.
According to the NWS, "Each year, dozens of children and untold numbers of pets left in parked vehicles die from hyperthermia. Hyperthermia is an acute condition that occurs when the body absorbs more heat than it can handle." Temperatures inside a parked car can rise quickly to a dangerous level.
A dark dashboard or seat can easily reach temperatures in the range of 180 to over 200°F. The dark objects heat up the air around them which is locked inside the vehicle causing the temperature to rise rapidly.
Click here to see time lapse photos of thermometer readings in a car over a period of less than an hour. As the animation shows, in just over 2 minutes the car went from a safe temperature to an unsafe temperature of 94.3°F. This demonstration shows just how quickly a vehicle can become a death trap for a child or pet.
So now is the time to be sure you know the signs of pet hyperthermia and what to do prevent actual heat stroke. The Humane Society of the United States offers tips to prevent hyperthermia. Click here to view tips.
If you have any tips of your own, we look forward to hearing from you. Upload pictures of you cooling your pet or tips to our facebook page.