JACKSON, Miss.- Ever wonder how hot it gets inside your car while you’re at work? News Mississippi tested it out and here’s what was found.
In an experiment by the news team, a thermometer was left on the dashboard of our NewsMS car in the parking lot.
With the exception of one break when the car was driven “home” for lunch and left in the shade for an hour before being brought back to the office, it was left in the sun all day.
What we found was frightening, especially if you’ve ever left a living thing inside a car while it was off in the summer time.
You’ll see in the photo’s below the time in which the picture was taken and what the temperature inside the car was at that time.
Regardless of the sunshine or the shade the car temp didn’t go below 100 degrees the entire day it sat outside.
Unfortunately, forgetting a small child or an animal in a vehicle is not completely uncommon.
KidsandCars.org reports that close to 37 children die in hot cars each year.
“If it’s your purse, wallet, cell phone, laptop, something that you know you have got to have and you put it in your rear seat next to your child,” Lt. Johnny Poulos, of the Mississippi Highway Patrol said.
Whether it’s in a car or just outside, taking precautions with your animals in hot weather is something Mississippian’s should always be doing. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, better known as PETA, offers some tips if the day is getting too warm for your furry friend.
- Keep dogs indoors. Dogs will only sweat through their feet and pant so when temperatures soar they can easily become dehydrated or have a heatstroke.
- Supply water and shade. If you have no choice but to leave your pet outside make sure they have plenty of shady areas and LOTS of water to drink.
- Walk- don’t run. Running in hot humid climates can over exercise your dog. They won’t give up, and if they collapse from exhaustion it may be too late.
- Stay Alert and save a life. Keep an eye out for any animals you see outside in hot weather. If you see one in distress try to get them water immediately.
With the high temperatures and frequent heat advisories Mississippi is known for, remember that a hot car is no place for a living thing throughout the day.
