The summer months can be uncomfortable—even dangerous—for people and pets. It’s difficult enough simply to cope with rising temperatures, let alone thick humidity, but things really get tough in areas that are hit with the double blow of intense heat and storm-caused power outages, sometimes with tragic results.
Strategies to NEVER Leave Your Kids in the Car
Strategy #1 – Leave your pocketbook or wallet and cell phone in the backseat next to your child in the car seat. By doing this you are not only ensuring that you won’t forget your child, but you can also now sign up for Oprah’s no phone zone because if your cell is in the backseat you are not talking or texting.
Strategy #2 – Put a stuffed animal in the car seat when your child is not in it – when you go to put your child in the seat – you take the animal out and put it next to you as a reminder your child is in the car seat.
Strategy #3 – Write yourself a brightly-colored sticky note on the dashboard of your car – baby in back!
Strategy #4 – Buy yourself the child safety mirror that attaches to your rearview mirror so that you can see your child at all times.
Easily Preventable – This tragedy is so easily preventable – just by using the above strategies, you could save a life. Please relay this information to friends, family and coworkers so no more families have to suffer from this awful tragedy.
Never Leave Your Pets in a Hot Car
Pets should never be left in a hot car. Not even for a minute. Not even with the car running and air conditioner on. On a warm day, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly to dangerous levels. On an 85-degree day, for example, the temperature inside a car with the windows opened slightly can reach 102 degrees within 10 minutes. After 30 minutes, the temperature will reach 120 degrees. That beloved pet may suffer irreversible organ damage or die.
For more great information take a look at this article written by the American Veterinary Medical Association regarding Pets in Vehicles.
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