With summer temperatures rising well into the 100's, parents need to be aware of the dangers of leaving a child in a hot car
ALBANY, GA -- Unfortunately it's something that we've seen here in Albany before.
“We've seen a number of calls that have come in from people in parking lots, seeing a child in a department store parking lot,” says Jim Vaught with Emergency Management.
A child left in the backseat of a hot car while the parent runs inside for what they think is a quick minute.
“They just assume they're only gonna be in the store for a minute, everything's harmless, they get tied up, they see someone they know, they start a conversation,” says Albany Fire Chief James Carswell.
Some parents just don't realize how dangerous a sitting car can be, especially in the summer months.
“Temperature in a car can increase 30-40 degrees within the hour,” says Chief Carswell.
We actually placed a thermometer in the backseat of a car for about 30 minutes. The thermometer only went to 120, but the red line went well above.
“As soon as they get out of their car and turn off the air conditioning, the car starts right away to heat up,” says Vaught.
And an infant's body isn't equipped to handle the heat like an adult can.
“The smaller the child is, the less ability they have to regulate their heat. They don't have the same abilities to sweat and dissipate heat,” says Chief Carswell.
They say lowering the windows helps a little, but not enough to leave a child--or pet inside.
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