MORNING HEADLINES | Officials and pet advocacy groups across the nation are sounding an annual alarm to remind folks to never leave their pets inside a parked vehicle during the summer months — particularly during a holiday heat wave.
“Every summer, we see preventable tragedies because people underestimate how quickly a parked car becomes deadly,” Charleston Animal Society President Joe Elmore told the Charleston City Paper. “Even with the windows cracked, temperatures inside a vehicle can soar to dangerous levels within minutes.
“If it’s too hot for you to sit in a parked car, it’s too hot for your dog. The safest choice is simple: Leave your pet at home.”
Researchers with State Farm insurance have clocked vehicle interior air temperatures at a staggering 145 degrees, while sun-exposed dashboard surfaces routinely spike above 195 degrees. Heat stroke occurs in humans when the body’s internal temperature reaches about 107 degrees. For pets, it can happen even faster.
All injuries and deaths related to pets locked in hot cars are preventable, according to state officials. Here’s some advice to keep your pets safe on those hot car rides:
- Bring a friend. If you have to take a car trip with your pet, make sure there is another adult with you to stay in the car and keep it running with the air conditioning on.
- Watch for signs of heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion shows before fatal injury. Be on the lookout for excessive panting, a dark purple tongue, abnormal hyperactivity, glossy eyes, and non-responsiveness.
- Park in the shade. It is the easiest form of protection. By avoiding direct sunlight, you’ll help keep internal temperatures lower.
- Use a windshield sun protector. It’s a way to keep your car cool and prevent sun damage.
- Install seat covers. They not only protect leather and fabric seats, but they also help keep passengers cool.
Other tips for the dog days of summer
National pet safety advocacy group TurfMutt Foundation shared several more tips for pet owners for keeping your furriest loved ones safe on even the hottest days:
- Be mindful of heat. Avoid strenuous exercise during peak sun hours and check pavement temperatures before heading out. If it’s too hot for you to touch comfortably with your palm, it can scorch your dog’s sensitive paws.
- Provide shade and water. Inside with you is always the safest place for your pet to be. When outside, make sure your dog has access to a cool shade and plenty of fresh, clean water to prevent overheating.
- Keep aquatic adventures safe. Many dogs love to play in the water, but never leave pets unsupervised near pools, lakes or rivers. Consider a doggie life jacket for additional safety.
- Be travel wise. Never leave a pet alone in a parked car and ensure they are safely secured in a crate or harness during summer road trips. Before heading out, make sure your pet’s tags and microchips are up to date in case you get separated. —Skyler Baldwin
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In recent headlines
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Lowcountry advocates push for boating safety, marine life protection. Every year, dolphins, manatees and sea turtles are injured or killed by boats in the Lowcountry — and the Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network says most of those deaths are preventable.
S.C. begins fiscal year with no new budget. Legislators plan to return July 14, two weeks into the new financial year, to continue hashing out differences in the $15B spending plan.
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