INSIDE GGC

As the weather warms up, so does the inside of your vehicle – much faster than many realize. Even on a mild day, the temperature inside a parked car can soar to dangerous levels within minutes, putting children, pets and individuals with disabilities at extreme risk.

Many well-meaning parents, caregivers or pet owners believe that leaving a child, person with a disability or pet in the car “just for a few minutes” while they run an errand is harmless. But research shows the temperature inside a vehicle can rise by 20 degrees in just 10 minutes. On an 80-degree day, that means the car can quickly become a 100-degree oven.

Children’s bodies heat up three to five times faster than adults’, making them especially vulnerable to heatstroke. Likewise, individuals with disabilities may be more susceptible to heat-related illness due to medical conditions, reduced ability to regulate body temperature, limited mobility or the effects of certain medications. Similarly, dogs and other pets can suffer from heat exhaustion and organ failure in a very short time. Cracking the windows or parking in the shade does little to slow the temperature rise.

Every year, tragic incidents occur where a child, pet or vulnerable individual is left behind unintentionally – or intentionally with the belief that it’s “just for a moment.” These moments can turn deadly.

What you can do:

• Never leave a child, pet or anyone vulnerable unattended in a vehicle – not even for a minute.
• Use reminders, such as placing a personal item (e.g., phone, wallet or bag) in the back seat to prompt you to check before leaving the car.
• If you see a child, pet or person alone in a car, DON’T WAIT! Call campus police at 678.407.5333 or dial 911 immediately.

Your quick action could save a life. Let’s all work together to raise awareness and prevent these avoidable tragedies on campus and beyond. Even a minute is too long.

Additional information and resources follow:

• National Weather Service
• American Association of Health & Disability
• National Highway Traffic Safety Association
• National Safety Council
• NoHeatStroke.org

This is a message from Georgia Gwinnett College’s Environmental, Health and Safety team.