With temperatures in the 90s forecast for parts of the state this weekend, AAA is asking motorists to keep their children, pets and vehicles safe during what’s expected to be one of the hottest yet this summer.
“In just 10 minutes, a car can heat up 20 degrees and become deadly,” said Megan Cooper, spokesperson for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “We are urging parents and carers not to underestimate the risks that excessive heat can pose and to understand that hot car deaths are preventable.”
According to NoHeatstroke.org, an average of 38 children die from heatstroke inside hot vehicles each year nationwide. Despite warnings from safety organizations every year, children continue to die from this preventable tragedy.
AAA-The Auto Club Group offers the following safety tips to help keep children safe:
- Do not leave children alone, even for short periods of time – Never leave children unattended in a vehicle, even if the windows are open or the air conditioning is running.
- Teach children that vehicles are not play areas – Do not let children play in a vehicle unsupervised. Teach your children that a vehicle is not a suitable hiding place in hide and seek.
- Keep your vehicle locked: Lock your vehicle’s doors and trunk even in driveways and garages, and keep keys out of children’s reach.
- Make it a habit to check your vehicle: Before you lock your vehicle and drive away, make it a habit to always check the front and back seats.
- Create reminders for the caregiver: If you usually drop off your child at a babysitter or daycare, ask the caregiver to call you if your child doesn’t show up as expected.
- Add reminders to your vehicle: Put your purse, wallet or cell phone in the back seat. This reminds you to look in the back seat before exiting the vehicle. You can also keep a stuffed animal in your child’s car seat. When the child is with you, move him to the front seat as a reminder that your child is in the back.
- Get help: If you see a child or pet alone in a locked car, call 911 immediately and follow the instructions of emergency personnel.
High temperatures in a vehicle can also put your pets at risk. Never leave an animal in a parked car, even if the windows are partially open. Even on nice days, your vehicle can quickly reach a temperature that puts your pet at risk.
Extreme heat can also pose a risk to your vehicle. AAA recommends drivers check these five key areas to help their vehicle safely survive warmer temperatures:
1. Battery
- Mount the battery securely in place to minimize vibration.
- Clean any corrosive build-up from the battery terminals and cable clamps.
- Make sure the clamps are tight enough so they don’t move.
- If a car battery is more than three years old, it’s a good idea to have it tested by a qualified technician to determine how much longer it will last.
- The test can be performed at any AAA-approved auto repair facility, or AAA members can request that a AAA Mobile Battery Service technician come to them and test their battery. free way
- If the battery needs to be replaced, the technician can usually replace it on site. For more information on AAA mobile battery service, visit AAA.com/Battery.
2. Engine coolant
- Flush the system and replace the coolant periodically as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
- Consult your owner’s manual to determine the proper service interval for a vehicle.
- Inspect drive hoses and belts for cracks, soft spots, or other signs of poor condition.
- Replace worn parts.
3. Tires
- Check the tires when the car has not been driven recently.
- Inflate tires to the pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer, not the number molded into the sidewall of the tire.
- Inspect tire treads for proper tread depth and any signs of uneven wear that could indicate a suspension or alignment problem.
4. Engine fluids
- Check all vehicle fluids, including engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and brake fluid to make sure they are filled to the proper levels.
- If any fluid needs to be topped off, be sure to use the type of fluid specified in the owner’s manual.
5. Air conditioning
- Maintain a comfortable driving environment to reduce fatigue and increase driver alertness to increase vehicle safety.
- Have the air conditioning system checked by a certified technician.
Be prepared for summer breakdowns – Even with proper preventative maintenance, breakdowns can still occur in the summer. AAA recommends that every driver have a well-stocked emergency kit in their vehicle. The kit should include a flashlight and extra fresh batteries, first aid supplies, drinking water, non-perishable snacks for people and pets, car battery booster cables, emergency flares or reflectors, a rain poncho , a basic tool kit, duct tape, gloves and rags or paper towels.
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About AAA – The Auto Club Group – The Auto Club Group (ACG) is the second largest AAA club in North America with more than 13 million members in 14 US states, the province of Quebec and two US territories. ACG and its affiliates offer members roadside assistance, insurance products, banking and financial services, travel deals and more. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation with more than 62 million members in the United States and Canada. AAA’s mission is to protect and advance freedom of mobility and improve traffic safety. For more information, get the AAA mobile app, visit AAA.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
