Subscribe RH Love

Don’t leave children or pets in vehicles

by | Jul 1, 2015 | Latest

By Patty Montagno

Staff Writer

[email protected]

The Sachse Police Department will be stepping up patrols of city parking lots and other areas during the summer heat wave.

Officers will be checking around for passengers or pets that may have been left inside a parked car.

Lt. Marty Cassidy said the extra patrols are crucial during the summer months and lives could be saved.

“There are so many reasons that a parent or caregiver could leave a child, baby or the elderly in a parked car for longer than expected,” he said. “Last year it was reported that a 3-year-old boy died in the Dallas area after he was forgotten by his day care workers inside a hot van following a field trip.”

Veach said reports have shown that since 1998 approximately 600 children have died after being left unintentionally in a hot car.

Cassidy said the signs of heat exhaustion in people can include a body temperature of up to 104 degrees, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fainting and flushed, moist skin. Signs of heat stroke can include a temperature greater than 104 degrees, disorientation, confusion, combativeness, seizure, stroke, shock and cardiac arrest.

“The on-site treatment for heat exhaustion is to stop the activity and move the person to a cool shady area or air-conditioned facility,” Cassidy said. “Cool water and sports drinks will also help with rehydration.”

Cassidy cautioned that if anyone suspects someone suffering from heat exhaustion that does not improve with treatment, 911 should be called immediately.

“To help prevent more tragedies we want to educate parents and drivers on the dangers of leaving children unattended in a car especially during the warm summer months,” he said. “Most people don’t realize how quickly the temperature in a car can rise to dangerous levels. Even on a 70-degree day, the inside temperature of a car can exceed 120 degrees even with windows partially open.”

Cassidy advises that all motorists never leave a child unattended in a vehicle, not even for a minute, and check the car to make sure that all occupants leave the vehicle or are carried out when unloading.

“If you lock the door with a key, rather than with a remote, it would force that one last look in the car before leaving it,” he said. “If you see a child or an elderly person alone in a car especially if they seem hot, call 911 to help get them out.”

Sachse Veterinarian Dr. Jim Moebius said days above 90 degrees, especially with high humidity, are extremely dangerous for pets.

“Humidity interferes with animals’ ability to rid themselves of excess body heat,” he said. “When we overheat we sweat, and when the sweat dries it takes excess heat with it. Our pets only perspire around their paws, which is not enough to cool the body.”

Moebius said overweight pets are also more prone to overheating because their extra layers of fat act as insulation, which traps heat in their bodies and restricts their breathing capabilities. Age can also be a factor in an animal’s tendency to overheat.

“A car can become a death trap, even on a mild sunny day,” Moebius said. “Never leave your pet inside the car. If your pet can’t come with you when you get out of the car, leave him at home.”

Moebius said leaving animals outdoors without shelter can be just as dangerous as leaving them inside a hot car.

“Be sure they are not left in a cage in the hot sun, on a chain in the backyard, or outdoors in a run without sufficient shade or air circulation,” he said.

 

Subscriber Love 728x90

0 Comments

Subscribe RH Love

Related News

Sign ordinances, amendments discussed at council

Sign ordinances, amendments discussed at council

Wylie residents may soon see updated sign regulations around town, following a workshop on the matter held by the City Council on Oct. 22. Although no action was taken, as it was a workshop item, the council provided input and approved sending the ordinance to the...

read more
Elections administrator explains process

Elections administrator explains process

Collin County Elections Administrator Bruce Sherbet poses outside the polling location adjacent to his office in McKinney. More than 36% of registered Collin County voters cast ballots in the first week of in-person early voting for the Tuesday, Nov. 5, general...

read more
City celebrates Pirate Cove 2.0

City celebrates Pirate Cove 2.0

It was all hands on deck as the community turned out for a fun-filled sail-a-bration of the new Pirate Cove playground Friday, Oct. 25.  Families set sail for Founders Park Friday, Oct. 25 to celebrate the grand opening of the new Pirate Cove playground. Nearly 100...

read more
Veteran honored with mortgage-free home

Veteran honored with mortgage-free home

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Semeli Toilolo shares his family’s gratitude to those in attendance at a ceremony Tuesday, Oct. 15 in front of his new mortgage-free home in Lavon. A crowd of community members filled the street to welcome home one of Lavon’s newest residents, the...

read more
In-Sync Exotics to host fall festival

In-Sync Exotics to host fall festival

Anakin and his friends will be enjoying pumpkins at In-Sync’s annual Pumpkin Toss and Fall Festival Saturday, Nov. 2. Dave Smith/In-Sync Exotics In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue and Educational Center is gearing up for its annual Fall Festival and Pumpkin Toss set to...

read more
Early voting is brisk

Early voting is brisk

Collin County has 100,000 more voters registered for the Tuesday, Nov. 5, general election than the number registered four years ago, Collin County Elections Administrator Bruce Sherbet said. That number was up a similar amount from 2016, he said. “We’ve been very...

read more
Order photos