The Oviedo Police and Fire Departments want to remind citizens to never leave children or pets inside of hot cars.
As temperatures start to climb in Central Florida, Oviedo Public Safety officials want to remind all residents to never leave children or pets unattended in a vehicle, even if it is just for a few minutes.
Every summer, tragic incidents occur when children or animals are left inside locked cars, where temperatures can rise dangerously fast, even with the windows cracked. In just 10 minutes, the temperature inside a vehicle can climb by 20 degrees. On a 90-degree day, that can mean deadly heat levels in less time than it takes to run a quick errand.
Parents of small children and animal owners should always take the time to Stop, Look
and Lock. Stop the car and make it a point to turn around, look, and make sure the back seat is clear. If at home, always lock the car to ensure children playing cannot get inside and accidentally lock themselves inside the vehicle.
“School is ending and people’s routines may be changing,” said Oviedo Police Chief Dale Coleman. “It may be easier to forget the kids are in the car while running errands or going to work. We want to make sure everyone remains safe in the heat.”
Some quick facts about heat:
- Heatstroke is a leading cause of non-crash vehicle-related deaths in children.
- A child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult’s.
- Pets can suffer organ damage or death from heat exposure in a matter of minutes.
“It’s imperative to call 9-1-1 if you see a child or pet in distress if they are in a locked vehicle,” said Oviedo Fire Chief Michael Woodward. “The faster a firefighter or police officer can get to the child/pet, the better chances they have to survive.”
Anyone who sees a child or pet locked in a car without a parent or guardian in proximity can call 9-1-1 for help. It is a 2nd degree felony in the State of Florida to leave a child under the age of 6 in a locked vehicle for longer than 15 minutes.
