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By Shane Clausing
hot vehicles

Grande Prairie Firefighters Association reminding residents not to leave animals, kids inside hot vehicles

Jun 2, 2021 | 2:08 PM

The Grande Prairie Firefighters Association is reminding residents to not leave their pets or kids inside a hot vehicle, especially during the summer months.

The notice comes as the Peace Region is in the midst of a heatwave that has temperatures getting close to 30 degrees Celsius.

Chris Storeshaw, the Secretary for the Grande Prairie Firefighters Association, says incidents like this happen every year and can be dangerous for those inside a vehicle that is not running.

“Just because it is 23 degrees outside, inside that car could be up to 47 degrees,” said Storeshaw.

“The temperature inside the car is much higher than outside the car, even with a window cracked it. We just recommend that you don’t leave your pets or kids inside when it is hot out.”

Storeshaw mentioned that some might argue that they have a remote car starter and running the car through that should be enough to keep the car cool. However, Storeshaw says that’s not always the case.

“A lot of people say ‘well I had my vehicle running’ but a lot of these command starts have timers on them. It’s really not an excuse.

“Treat your kids and treat your pets like yourself. You wouldn’t keep yourself in a vehicle with the windows rolled up.”

If you are in a situation where you have to run errands, Storeshaw recommends that you should keep your pets at home, and if you have kids to take them with you inside where you have to go.

He hopes messages like this can get out, so first responders don’t have to come and rescue an animal or a child from a vehicle.

“We don’t want to have to break windows or pop locks. It’s just an annual reminder to the public that it’s really warming up and it’s going to be close to plus 30 (this week). Kids and animals inside (hot) vehicles is not safe.”

by Shane Clausing