If you're driving with a child or dog, you'll need to be extra careful today. Heat inside a vehicle can rise almost 20 degrees in just 10 minutes, according to the American Veterinarian Medical Association .
And if you have a child or pet in the car, they're at extreme risk the minute the air conditioning turns off.
Never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles
It is never safe to leave a child, disabled person or pet locked in a car. For more information about how cars can heat up quickly when left in the sun, check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website in both English and Spanish .
Excessive heat: Hot dogs (or cats) aren't cool. Vet offers tips on keeping your pets safe during a heat wave
While this applies all year round, it is especially important on warm or hot summer days.
Every year, hundreds of pets die from heat exhaustion because they are left in parked vehicles, according to the American Veterinarian Medical Association . The temperature inside a vehicle can rise almost 20º F in just 10 minutes, and almost 30º F in 20 minutes.
The longer a pet, child or person is inside a car turned off in the heat, the higher it goes.
At one hour, your vehicle's inside temperature can be more than 40 degrees higher than the outside temperature. Even on a 70-degree day, that's 110 degrees inside a car.
Heat advisory in effect until 9 p.m.
Heat indices are expected to peak between 100 and 110 on Tuesday afternoon, and the National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory.
Excessive heat coming: There's a heat advisory in Indiana today. A heat index of 110 is possible.
How to tell if you have heat exhaustion
Three main heat-related illnesses to be on the lookout for are heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
If any of the following symptoms are evident in you or another person: move to a cooler area, loosen any clothing and sip cool water. Seek a medical professional if any of the symptoms don’t improve within an hour.
Heat cramps may be the first sign of illness that could lead to more serious symptoms. Cramps shows up as painful muscle cramps or spasms along with heavy sweating, according to NWS. Use firm pressure on the cramping muscles and massage them gently.
Heat exhaustion will show up as heavy sweating, weakness or tiredness with cool and clammy skin. The person’s pulse may be quick but weak and they may exhibit dizziness or nausea. Immediately move the person to an air-conditioned room, loosen clothing and apply cool, wet cloth to the skin.
Heat stroke needs immediate medical attention, so call 9-1-1 or get the patient to a hospital. Heat stroke can appear as throbbing headaches, confusion, nausea, dizziness, body temperatures above 103 degrees. The patient’s skin can also appear red with a lack of sweat. This is a serious illness and delays in medical care can be fatal.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: It's never safe to leave pets, kids alone in the car — especially today
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