Hot Weather a Hazard for Children and Pets Left in Parked Cars, Says AAA Michigan

DEARBORN, Mich., June 24 -- With the thermometer hovering around the 90-degree mark throughout much of Michigan, the heat is on -- and that means temperatures inside a car can approach the boiling point, says AAA Michigan.

The following are tips to remember even when temperatures outside seem moderate:

* Never leave children unattended in a vehicle, even for a few minutes. Heat is much more dangerous to children than it is to adults. When left in a hot vehicle, a child's core body temperature can increase three to five times faster than that of an adult.

* Never leave your pet unattended in direct sunlight or in a closed vehicle. Heatstroke can occur and lead to brain damage or death. Signs of heatstroke are panting, drooling, rapid pulse and fever. Immediately immerse the pet in cool water and seek emergency veterinary assistance.

* Lock the doors of your parked vehicle to prevent children from entering.

* Cover metal and plastic safety belt parts, especially on child safety seats, to reduce the chance of burns.

* After the car has been parked in the sun for a while, open the windows or let the air conditioner cool the interior for a few minutes before entering.

"Children and pets are especially vulnerable," said Richard J. Miller, manager of Community Safety Services for AAA Michigan. "From 1996 through 2000 -- the last year statistics were available -- more than 120 young children died from heatstroke after being left in a hot vehicle."