With extreme heat affecting all of Western PA, AAA East Central is issuing an urgent reminder about the deadly dangers of leaving children and pets inside hot vehicles.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 900 children have died of heatstroke in vehicles over the past 25 years.

Even on mild days, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise by 20 degrees in just 10 minutes.

That quick spike can be fatal, especially for children, whose body temperatures rise three to five times faster than an adult’s.

“A child’s body can overheat in minutes,” said Terri Rae Anthony, safety advisor for AAA East Central. “No errand is worth a life. As parents, caregivers, and bystanders, we all have a role to play in preventing these tragedies.”

Animals left in vehicles, even briefly, are also in danger. They can suffer from heatstroke, irreversible organ failure, brain damage, or even death.

Signs of heatstroke in pets include:

   •Heavy panting or drooling

   •Vomiting

   •Bright red gums or tongue

   •Rapid heart rate

   •Wobbly movement

   •Older pets, overweight animals, flat-faced breeds, and those with thick fur are especially vulnerable.

For the full AAA report, visit here.