Hot Cars
Whether you’re hitting the road for a short trip to the grocery store or long drive to a vacation destination, vehicles are lethal in summer heat. The inside of a parked car can rapidly heat up to 120 degrees on a 78-degree day and reach 160 degrees on a 90-degree day, according to Consumer Reports.
- Car-seat mechanisms such as buckles and buckle tongues can get extremely hot in the sun. Always check the areas of the car seat that come in contact with an individual to avoid burns.
- Sitting next to a window exposes passengers to ultraviolet rays. Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen at least 15 minutes before getting in the car.
- Heat stroke is the leading cause of non-crash, vehicle-related deaths for children 14 years old and younger. Even on cloudy days with mild temperatures, children are at risk of heatstroke if left alone in the car. Avoid this risk by never leaving children alone inside a vehicle.
Douglas Kinkel, M.D. is Chief of Medical Staff at Mimbres Memorial Hospital. He is Board Certified in Emergency Medicine and is the Medical Director of the Emergency Department.
Mimbres Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home is located at 900 W. Ash Street, Deming New Mexico.