Never leave children or pets in hot vehicles
Temperatures inside the vehicle will always be higher than outside
AMID soaring summer temperatures, the AA has issued a warning against leaving children and animals in vehicles, even for a short while.
The organisation said leaving windows open a crack is not good enough as the temperature inside the vehicle will always be hotter than outside.
‘Temperatures in cars can climb rapidly and even if a window is cracked slightly open, the inside temperature will exceed outside temperatures by several degrees,’ said the organisation.
‘Children and pets who are left in cars are vulnerable and can become dehydrated quickly.’
They said people must consider leaving children and pets at home or dropping them off before running errands.
The consequences of leaving children and pets in hot, poorly ventilated cars is extremely dangerous and must be avoided.
‘In addition, these hot summer days may be followed by heavy downpours, and may, in some cases, even lead to floods.
‘For this reason all road users must ensure they drive, walk or cycle safely across bridges and main roads.’
As higher than average late summer rainfall has been predicted for our region, the AA urges motorists to ensure their vehicles can cope with the weather change.
All windscreen wipers, front and back, must be in good working order.
While our region has been exposed to much summer rainfall already, the sun can bake unused wipers brittle, rendering them useless when most needed.
Tyres must also be well maintained and frequently checked.
Worn tyres could lead to aquaplaning in wet weather and balding tyres, including the spare tyre, must be replaced immediately.
‘There are some severe weather warnings for parts of the country issued by the South African Weather Service, and road users are urged to check local weather listings for any potential weather hazards in their area or on their routes.
‘We also warn road users not to take chances in areas with low-lying bridges.
‘Remember, your safety, and that of any passengers, is more important than anything else, so be careful when driving in dangerous conditions.’
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