APD Warns of Hot Car Dangers As Summer Months Approach
By: Marlisa Goldsmith
Updated: March 29, 2012
"We see it throughout the year, however it's not something that we see exponentially or very often," explains George Spindler of Abilene Police Department.
It is something that is not always cited, but it does happen.
Spindler continues, "We're actually finding that parents of those responsible for taking care of children, that they're actually running into a grocery store or they're running into a business."
What may start off as a quick trip, could soon turn dangerous.
"With the hot summer months coming, we know that temperatures inside these vehicles really get to be very dangerous at times for children," says Spindler.
I was in a vehicle for over five minutes this afternoon when it was 80 degrees outside. My indoor thermometer read 100 degrees, a temperature entirely too hot for a child to be left in.
"Why do you feel that you have to leave your own child in the car? That's not okay," says Lisa Castillo.
Not only is it dangerous, but it is illegal.
Lisa Castillo is a parent who has personally witnessed someone leave their child in a vehicle while they went inside a store to shop.
"First I didn't think about it," but she just could not let that child sit in the heat and suffer, "so, I called the cops," says Castillo.
Concerned parents are not the only ones making sure kids are not left in vehicles.
"We kind of have them keeping alert for all things," says Eddie Castaneda.
United Supermarket advises their carryout service employees to keep an eye out as well.
He says, "Remind them just to be observant, and while they're looking out for their own safety on coming and going out of the store, they're just keeping alert and we just kind of tell them to keep an eye out, especially during the hot summers."
Next time you think it will just take a second, you may want to reconsider and take your child with you.
You cannot leave a child under the age of seven in a vehicle for more than five minutes without a guardian who is fourteen years of age or older.
It is something that is not always cited, but it does happen.
Spindler continues, "We're actually finding that parents of those responsible for taking care of children, that they're actually running into a grocery store or they're running into a business."
What may start off as a quick trip, could soon turn dangerous.
"With the hot summer months coming, we know that temperatures inside these vehicles really get to be very dangerous at times for children," says Spindler.
I was in a vehicle for over five minutes this afternoon when it was 80 degrees outside. My indoor thermometer read 100 degrees, a temperature entirely too hot for a child to be left in.
"Why do you feel that you have to leave your own child in the car? That's not okay," says Lisa Castillo.
Not only is it dangerous, but it is illegal.
Lisa Castillo is a parent who has personally witnessed someone leave their child in a vehicle while they went inside a store to shop.
"First I didn't think about it," but she just could not let that child sit in the heat and suffer, "so, I called the cops," says Castillo.
Concerned parents are not the only ones making sure kids are not left in vehicles.
"We kind of have them keeping alert for all things," says Eddie Castaneda.
United Supermarket advises their carryout service employees to keep an eye out as well.
He says, "Remind them just to be observant, and while they're looking out for their own safety on coming and going out of the store, they're just keeping alert and we just kind of tell them to keep an eye out, especially during the hot summers."
Next time you think it will just take a second, you may want to reconsider and take your child with you.
You cannot leave a child under the age of seven in a vehicle for more than five minutes without a guardian who is fourteen years of age or older.
