Temperatures in Spain during the summer months can soar above 30 degrees. Although great for a suntan and a beach day, you must take extra precautions to look after those weaker than you.
It’s very tempting to run into the shops, and leave your pets and kids in the car for ‘ a few minutes’ – it’s such an effort to have to get them all out and in again! You must NEVER risk this. Unfortunately, it only takes minutes for a potential disaster.
Temperature is elevated at incredible speeds inside vehicles and it is not hard for your child or dog to get heatstroke, even suffocation.
Children’s body temperature regulates a lot slower than adults bodies, hence why sudden increases can affect so quickly. Animals, especially dogs, do not have the same body regulation as they don’t sweat, they cool down through panting, and when there is a lack of air, suffocation and death is imminent.
Common myths you must not follow:
- Opening a window slightly will not help
- Leaving the air-conditioning on. This can momentarily help but this can be turned off, fail and leaves your car open and unattended, making it easier for someone to drive off, especially if it is only a small child or pet in the car.
- The car is in the shade- your car will still warm up as glass traps solar radiation.
- And the worst; ‘just for a minute’, a minute can cause a fatal accident which was easily avoidable.
If you are a passer-by who notices a child or animal stuck in a hot car, call 112 (emergency services) and give the location of the car, the registration and the state in which the passenger is in. If the child or pet is in visible distress, treat it as an emergency and follow the operator’s instructions.
Children’s heatstroke symptoms include: red skin, sleepiness, rapid breathing or panting, vomiting, weakness and unresponsiveness. Dogs and cats signs of heatstroke can be heavy panting, drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, wobbling, seizures and red gums.
Animal welfare in Spain protects and responds to animals left in dangerous conditions and receives many calls during the summer months reporting animals in hot cars. Heatstroke in animals can lead to organ failure relatively quickly.
These accidents are easily avoidable and it is easy to underestimate the heat and the dangers it has on us. Be careful, stay hydrated and safe! We chatted about this topic on our recent show:
