If it's hot outside, it's even hotter in your vehicle. Summer safety tips for extreme heat
If it's hot outside, it's even hotter in your vehicle.
On hot summer days, always double check your backseat for passengers (whether that be pets or children), drink lots of water and be sure to watch for signs of heat cramps, exhaustion or stroke.
Indiana will continue to see temperatures in the low-to-mid 90s over the weekend into next week. Stay safe during this heat wave with these life-saving heat safety tips.
Never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles
It is never safe to leave a child, disabled person or pet locked in a car. For more information about how cars can heat up quickly when left in the sun, check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website in both English and Spanish.
While this applies all year round, it is especially important on warm or hot summer days.
Every year, hundreds of pets die from heat exhaustion because they are left in parked vehicles, according to the American Veterinarian Medical Association. The temperature inside a vehicle can rise almost 20o F in just 10 minutes, and almost 30o F in 20 minutes.
Previously: Indiana couple arrested after leaving 2 kids in hot SUV while they shopped, police say
The longer a pet, child or person is inside a car turned off in the heat, the higher it goes.
At one hour, your vehicle's inside temperature can be more than 40 degrees higher than the outside temperature. Even on a 70-degree day, that's 110 degrees inside a car.
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How to stay safe during a heat risk
Older Hoosiers and young children are most at risk during extreme heat events. To stay safe and prepared, here’s what the experts suggest:
Stay hydrated and avoid sugary, caffeinated and alcoholic drinks
Electric fans may not provide relief; instead, take a cooling shower or bath and find an air-conditioned space
Reduce, eliminate or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities
Eat light, cool, easy-to-digest foods like fruits or salad
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Choose lightweight, loose-fitting clothes
Head to a public library or other space with air conditioning
What are the signs of heat-related illness?
Three main heat-related illnesses to be on the lookout for are heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
If any of the following symptoms are evident in you or another person: move to a cooler area, loosen any clothing and sip cool water. Seek a medical professional if any of the symptoms don’t improve within an hour.
Signs of heat cramps
Heat cramps may be the first sign of illness that could lead to more serious symptoms. Cramps shows up as painful muscle cramps or spasms along with heavy sweating, according to NWS. Use firm pressure on the cramping muscles and massage them gently.
Signs of heat exhaustion
Heat exhaustion will show up as heavy sweating, weakness or tiredness with cool and clammy skin. The person’s pulse may be quick but weak and they may exhibit dizziness or nausea. Immediately move the person to an air-conditioned room, loosen clothing and apply cool, wet cloth to the skin.
Signs of heat stroke
Heat stroke needs immediate medical attention, so call 9-1-1 or get the patient to a hospital. Heat stroke can appear as throbbing headaches, confusion, nausea, dizziness, body temperatures above 103 degrees. The patient’s skin can also appear red with a lack of sweat. This is a serious illness and delays in medical care can be fatal.
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Who are the most vulnerable populations in the heat?
Groups that may be particularly vulnerable to heat include:
Young children and infants
Older adults
People with chronic medical conditions
Pregnant women
Cooling centers in Indianapolis
Indiana residents can call 211 or 866-211-9966 to find cooling centers near them. Indiana 211 is a helpline providing Hoosiers with the information they need to stay safe during the extreme heat this summer.
You can find a list of current cooling centers in your area on Indiana 211's website.
Report or add a cooling center by contacting the Indiana 211 resource team by email at [email protected].
No AC? Here's where to stay cool or swim in Indianapolis amid heat wave
Los recursos del tiempo de Indiana en Espa?ol
Para residentes hispanohablantes en Indiana, IndyStar tiene una página web de recursos para el tiempo en Espa?ol. La página web es accesible aquí y visite weather.gov/ind/espanol a encontrar el pronóstico del tiempo diario, condiciones próximas e información adicional de seguridad.
Para información sobre el preveción de muertes por calor extremo y más visite nhtsa.gov/es.
Karl Schneider is an IndyStar environment reporter. You can reach him at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @karlstartswithk
IndyStar's environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.
Contact Jade Jackson at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON
Katie Wiseman is a trending news intern at IndyStar. Contact her at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @itskatiewiseman.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Summer heat safety: Don't leave kids, pets in cars, drink water, stay cool
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