Practicing Summer Car Safety

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With temperatures on the rise, it’s important to remember summer car safety.
 
Leaving pets or children inside a locked car is dangerous and can be deadly.
 
KVRR’s Brittany Ford has what will probably make you think twice before leaving your child or pet in a car.

In summer months, the warmer weather also comes with the responsibility of practicing summer car safety.

With children in particular it doesn’t take much for their bodies to overheat.
 
“Sweat. That’s one of the ways our bodies use to cool itself. So even though kids may sweat more than an adult it’s just not quite as effective so that’s why they’re little bit more susceptible to heat stroke or heat illness,” said Sanford Pediatrician Brennan Forward.
 
In North Dakota it is not illegal to leave your pet or child unattended in a car.

However, police can still file child negligence charges depending on the circumstances. And the same goes for pets.

“Neglect, abuse, or cruelty to animals you know if we feel it is justified to break into a vehicle to take them out then a report would be done and sent to our city prosecutor and then they would address it appropriately,” said Becky Savageau of Fargo Animal Control.
 
What most people don’t realize is that on a warm day today that can teach up to 70-80 degrees outside, can reach significantly higher temperatures within a car even with the windows cracked
 
Mark Ensrud expressed to us is that people do not realize it’s just another form of distracted driving.
 
“Doing something on their phone, texting somebody, calling somebody and I think it’s a different version of distracted driving. You get to a parking lot and you’re still in charge of what’s going on in your car, and who or what is inside it,” said twin cities resident Mark Ensrud.
 
The best precaution:  always think twice when getting out of your car…and never leave your loved ones behind.

Brittany Ford, KVRR News.
 
Statistics show that in 2014 alone, 723 children died due to heatstroke after being left in unattended vehicle.