California is privileged to have beautiful weather, especially in the summer, but did you know that within 10 minutes the temperature inside your vehicle can increase by 20 degrees? You might assume that your child or pet will be OK in your vehicle for just a couple of minutes while you run an errand because you rolled down a window. However, this actually does little to keep the car cool. It only takes a few minutes for a car to heat up and become deadly to a child or animal left inside.
A core temperature of 107 degrees is considered lethal and a child's body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult's. Similarly, animals can sustain brain damage or even die from heatstroke in just 15 minutes if left unattended in a hot vehicle.
Heatstroke fatalities have occurred in vehicles parked in shaded areas and when the outside air temperature was 80 degrees Fahrenheit or cooler, and are the leading cause of non-crash-related fatalities for children 14 and younger. From 1998-2013, 606 children died due to heatstroke nationwide and at least 21 children have died this year. Every single one of these deaths could have been prevented.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Keeping Safe Kids program and the Administration for Children and Families have come together to raise awareness through their campaign, "Where's baby? Look Before You Lock." For more information see www.safercar.gov/parents/heatstroke.htm.
In California, many regions experience extreme summer temperatures and the danger to children left unattended in hot vehicles increases. Whether done on purpose or by accident, leaving a child or a pet in a hot vehicle is deadly and in California it is illegal to leave a child 6 years or younger inside a vehicle without the supervision of someone at least 12 years old.
If you see a child or a pet alone in a hot vehicle, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. If you witness a child or pet in distress due to heat, get them out as quickly as possible and cool them rapidly by spraying them with cool water or a garden hose. However, never use an ice bath. I encourage every parent and animal owner to see the following resources for more information: www.safercar.gov/parents/heatstroke.htm, www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/help-dog-in-hot-car.html
Summer temperatures can last well into fall and it is important to remember that no matter how quickly you think you will be in running an errand, never leave your child or pet in a hot car.
Sen. Bill Monning, D-Monterey, represents the 17th state Senate district.