Leaving children and pets in hot cars can be a killer
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
Eugene, Oregon
August 3, 2017 3:58pm CST
With the hot weather so many places, it is a good time to think about people who leave children or pets in closed cars where temperatures can reach life-threatening levels quickly. I read that at 90 degrees outside, a car can reach 109 in ten minutes.
An average of 37 children each year since 1998 have died of heatstroke after being left in cars (most in Texas and Florida). Only twenty states have laws against leaving children unattended in vehicles.
A law in my state of Oregon went into effect recently that says you are not liable for damage if you break into a car to rescue a child or pet that you believe is in imminent danger. There are very stiff penalties with big fines involved and people are encouraged to call police if they witness children or pets in danger. Three people were cited for animal abuse in my town this week.
Do you ever see pets locked in hot cars? Or kids? What would you do?
14 people like this
16 responses
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
3 Aug 17
I would break that window in a second! I don't understand how anyone can forget their child or even their pet. I think that people who do should not be allowed to have either one ever again. How the hell do you forget your child is in the car?!!! I guess these people remember the important things in their life and children and pets don't meet that standard. 
4 people like this
@Morleyhunt (21744)
• Canada
3 Aug 17
I'd break the window.....but, I've also learned not to judge someone.....I think you be surprised how easy it would be to forget a sleeping child when you are out of routine....
These are tragedies....many times we just hear the sensational news reports....then when you learn what really happened it totally changes your perspective.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
3 Aug 17
@Morleyhunt I would be very surprised. It is just beyond my imagination when that is your number one responsibility.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21744)
• Canada
3 Aug 17
@JamesHxstatic have you ever driven past the store you intended to stop at? Done something out of habit? Very few of these children are deliberately left in the car. When you learn about the circumstances....it could have happened to any one of us. I think the best thing I've heard is....when you put your child in the back of the car...take off your left shoe and place it with the child.
1 person likes this
@velvet53 (22534)
• Palisade, Colorado
4 Aug 17
I have seen this also. I am not sure what the law is in Colorado about breaking into someones car but I would if it meant saving a child or animal. People that do this needs to be put in the same situation for some of their punishment.
3 people like this
@velvet53 (22534)
• Palisade, Colorado
4 Aug 17
@nanette64 There needs to be stricter laws for this kind of abuse.
2 people like this
@Ithink (9980)
• United States
3 Aug 17
I have never understood people that take their kids, or pets for that matter to just leave them in the car. I have 8 kids and at one point it was 7 of them all 10 and under and never once left even one in a vehicle. If we went to the store and I took them with me then they went in the store too. Not only is it dangerous in the heat but there is such a thing as kidnappers and my kids are more important to me then just leaving them.
I have seen 1 dog in a vehicle however it was not on a hot day and the owner had the windows down, still don't understand taking an animal if you cant take them inside to do whatever you are doing but.. Now if I saw a child or animal in distress you best believe the owner will be coming out to a broken window and police on the way!
3 people like this
@Ithink (9980)
• United States
4 Aug 17
@Morleyhunt Yes there is circumstances to every part of life at one point or another, not judging but do not understand the ones that leave their child for a time in a vehicle or anywhere alone. I also like I said had a 10 year old that would grab the hands of a little one or 2. The ones that were walking always knew to wait til I got out and then I would get each out and they knew to stand next to the car til we were all ready to walk. I also had a great husband that would watch them if needed if I needed to take a quick shopping trip. I didn't say Id jump and break the window right away, but if in distress yep and I wouldn't hesitate. I still would be to scared to leave my child in a vehicle alone as there is sick people out there.
2 people like this
@Morleyhunt (21744)
• Canada
3 Aug 17
That's incredible. When I had three children three and under it took me two trips to get them all into the car, so invariably the oldest was on the car alone while I got her sisters.I've never left a small child to go into a store....but I did leave 3 sleeping babies in the car while running into the post office to grab a parcel....the car was never out of my sight.....and it was a cold snowy day. I think each circumstance is different, and would hesitate to judge someone.....there's often much more to the story.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (166761)
• Boise, Idaho
3 Aug 17
That is so awful. The local news here did a subject yesterday on this. Less than one hour and the car they were using had a temp inside of over 130 degrees. What a horrible way to die.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (166761)
• Boise, Idaho
4 Aug 17
@JamesHxstatic .....What selfless and loving father/mother would leave a baby in a car? What excuse would ever be good enough?
@LadyDuck (471354)
• Switzerland
4 Aug 17
@JamesHxstatic In my opinion to save the life of a child, or a poor pet, is a priority.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
4 Aug 17
There would be little choice in some circumstances, would there Anna?
1 person likes this
@sallypup (61000)
• Centralia, Washington
3 Aug 17
If I were at a store, I'd go to the help desk and get attention. This morning Leah dog wanted outside. I put her out and not long after I heard her cry whimpering. I let her in off the wooden deck, back into the cool house, felt her black fur and wow!! Stunningly hot. Poor pup.
2 people like this
@sallypup (61000)
• Centralia, Washington
4 Aug 17
@JamesHxstatic I think the wooden deck boards radiate heat.
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
3 Aug 17
Their temperature can rise rapidly it seems.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (79714)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
3 Aug 17
Was never in such a situation but if I was of course I would do what I could no matter what to rescue the child or pet.
2 people like this
@poehere (15123)
• French Polynesia
5 Aug 17
That is crazy. I have my dogs and they love to go with me. Even when I am driving and the windows down, they are hot. I think twice before I take them with me when it is really hot outside. I would rather they stay home where they care cool and safe.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40288)
• Laguna Woods, California
6 Aug 17
@JamesHxstatic - It is heart-breaking to hear of children and pets who have been left in hot cars. They recently passed a law here in California that you can break a car window to save them, as long as you call 911 first and you stay by the car until the police arrive. Its a good law.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
6 Aug 17
It is like the one we have. On Thursday, at our local hospital, a small puppy was rescued while the driver was in for an appointment with temps over 100 degrees. A woman called police they broke the window of the 76 year old drivers Hummer.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
7 Aug 17
@DeborahDiane That is for sure!
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21744)
• Canada
3 Aug 17
Can't say that I've seen this....but then the only cars I've seen were early and parked at the hospital.
2 people like this
@Gloriange (56)
•
4 Aug 17
In my opinion, stiff penalties should apply everywhere in every country. I think most authorities favor someone else's property than saving a life.
2 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
4 Aug 17
That is too true around the whole world.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
4 Aug 17
I would call either the Police or Animal Control.
2 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
3 Aug 17
Nor do I. Absent mindedness does not count as an excuse for this.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
4 Aug 17
This is one thing that makes me maddern' hell @JamesHxstatic . Every single year people are warned when hot weather approaches about this and yet it still happens. I did catch a lady getting out of her car at the grocery store leaving her pet in the car. I told her, "I don't give a damn if you're in that store for 1 minute, I will call the police right now." She got back in her car and left.
1 person likes this
