Nashville, TN – With temperatures predicted to be in the 90s for parts of the state next week, AAA is urging motorists to keep their children, pets and vehicles safe during what is expected to be one of the worst times. warmer so far this summer.
“In just 10 minutes, a car can heat up 20 degrees and become deadly,” said Megan Cooper, spokesperson, AAA – The Auto Club Group.
According No heatstroke.org, an average of 38 children die from heat stroke inside hot vehicles each year across the country. Despite warnings from security organizations each year, children continue to die from this preventable tragedy.
AAA-The Auto Club Group provides the following safety tips to keep children safe:
- Do not leave children alone, even for short periods of time – Never leave children unattended in a vehicle, even if the windows are open or the air conditioning is on.
- Teach children that vehicles are not playgrounds – Do not let children play in an unsupervised vehicle. Teach your children that a vehicle is not a suitable hiding place in a game of hide and seek.
- Keep your vehicle locked – lock your vehicle’s doors and trunk, even in driveways and garages, and keep keys out of reach of children.
- Make it a habit to check your vehicle– Before locking your vehicle and driving away, make a habit of always checking the front and rear seats.
- Create reminders for caregivers – If you usually drop your child off at a babysitter or daycare center, ask the person looking after you to call you if your child does not show up as expected.
- Add reminders in your vehicle– Put your purse, wallet or mobile phone in the back seat. This way you are reminded to look in the back seat before leaving the vehicle. You can also keep a stuffed animal in your child’s car seat. When the child is with you, put it in the front seat to remind you that your child is in the back.
- To call for help – If you see a child or pet alone in a locked car, call 911 immediately and follow the instructions of emergency personnel.
High temperatures in a vehicle can also put your pets at risk. Never leave an animal in a parked car, even if the windows are partially open. Even on pleasant days, your vehicle can quickly reach a temperature that puts your pet at risk.
Extreme heat can also pose risks to your vehicle. AAA recommends drivers check these five key areas to help their vehicle safely survive higher temperatures:
1. Battery
- Secure the battery in place to minimize vibration.
- Clean any corrosive buildup from the battery terminals and cable clamps.
- Make sure the clamps are tight enough that they don’t move.
- If a car’s battery is more than three years old, it’s a good idea to have it tested by a qualified technician to determine how long it will last.
- The test can be done at any time AAA Approved Auto Repair facility, or AAA members can request a AAA mobile battery service technician comes to see them and tests their battery for free.
- If the battery needs to be replaced, the technician can usually replace it on the spot. For more information on AAA Mobile Battery Service, visit AAA.com/Battery.
2. Engine coolant
- Have the system flushed and coolant replaced periodically, as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
- Consult the owner’s manual to determine the proper maintenance interval for a vehicle.
- Inspect hoses and drive belts for cracks, weak spots, or other signs of poor condition.
- Replace worn parts.
3. Tires
- Check the tires when the car has not been driven recently.
- Inflate tires to the pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer, not the number molded into the sidewall of the tire.
- Inspect tire treads for proper depth and any signs of uneven wear that could indicate a suspension or alignment problem.
4. Engine fluids
- Check all vehicle fluids, including engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and brake fluid to make sure they are filled to the proper levels.
- If fluids need to be topped up, be sure to use the type of fluid specified in the owner’s manual.
5. Air conditioning
- Maintain a comfortable driving environment to reduce fatigue and increase driver alertness for increased vehicle safety.
- Have the air conditioning system checked by a certified technician.
Be prepared for summer blackouts
Even with proper preventive maintenance, summer breakdowns can still occur. AAA recommends that every driver have a well-stocked emergency kit in their vehicle. Kit should include extra flashlight and fresh batteries, first aid supplies, drinking water, non-perishable snacks for people and pets, car battery jumper cables, flares or emergency reflectors, rain poncho, basic tool kit, duct tape, gloves, and shop rags or paper towels.
To help keep Tennesseans’ vehicle emergency kits fully stocked this summer, local AAA branches are providing free AAA summer driving kits. To find your local AAA branch, visit AAA.com/Branches. You don’t need to be an AAA member to redeem a kit.
| Drivers who find themselves stranded can contact AAA by calling or texting “HELP” at 1.800.AAA.HELP (save it to your contacts), submitting a request via the Web (bookmark in your favourites), or via the AAA mobile application (available on google play or in the App store). |
About AAA – The Auto Club Group
Groupe Auto Club (ACG) is the second largest AAA club in North America with over 13 million members in 14 US states, the province of Quebec and two US territories.
ACG and its affiliates provide members with roadside assistance, insurance products, banking and financial services, travel deals and more. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation with more than 62 million members in the United States and Canada. AAA’s mission is to protect and advance freedom of mobility and improve road safety.
For more information, get the AAA mobile appvisit AAA.comand follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.