It’s hot outside. You know the feeling of getting into your car in the summer after it’s been sitting in the sun for a few hours with no A/C on. It’s sweltering, burning hot, and you can’t stand it, so you roll down the windows and crank up the A/C. We all do it. What we don’t (and shouldn’t) do is leave our babies or fur-babies in the vehicle while we run into the store or run errands.
Heatstroke can occur when body temperature passes 40oC and could result in brain damage or death.
- In ten minutes, a car can heat up by 20 degrees; leaving the windows down doesn’t help
- It takes as little as 15 minutes in a hot car to begin suffering life-threatening effects
- Small children and pets are not able to cool off by opening windows/doors like adults can
- Children and pets are not able to regulate heat as well as adults can, and their body temperatures rise three to five times faster than that of adults
If you see a child in distress, alone in a vehicle, call 9-1-1. The operator will guide you through the next steps. If you see a dog lying on the seat with its tongue hanging out, limp and lifeless, then please call Animal Protection Services at 306-777-7700. Do not break any windows, as you could be charged with Mischief under the Criminal Code of Canada. This is contrary to recently-circulated social media messages suggesting there is some “immunity” from criminal charges in cases of pets locked in cars; that is not true.
Leaving your pets at home with the air conditioner or a fan and plenty of water is ideal for them. As for your kids, take them into the store with you, or get a sitter. Let’s enjoy the short Saskatchewan summer time while we can, safely. If you see a child left alone in a vehicle, let the police know by calling 306-777-6500 or 9-1-1 if you think it’s an emergency. If you see a pet left alone in a hot vehicle contact Animal Protection Services at 306-777-7700. After hours, call the Regina Police at 306-777-6500 or 9-1-1 in an emergency.
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