Hot car warning: never leave children, disabled adults, or pets in vehicles
As summer temperatures rise, the Town of Reading is reminding all residents and visitors of a critical safety issue: never leave children, disabled adults, or pets alone in a hot vehicle - even for a few minutes.
The hidden danger of hot vehicles
On warm days, the interior of a vehicle can heat up quickly and reach deadly temperatures, even if the windows are cracked. Within just 10 minutes, the inside of a car can be 20 degrees hotter than the outside temperature. This creates a life-threatening situation for children, pets, and individuals with disabilities who are unable to exit the vehicle on their own.
Recognizing heat-related distress
If you see a child, a person with disabilities, or a pet left unattended in a hot vehicle, it’s important to act fast. Signs of heat-related distress may include:
Excessive panting or difficulty breathing
Lethargy or unresponsiveness
Confusion or disorientation
Vomiting or collapse
Heatstroke can occur within minutes and may be fatal.
What to do
If you observe someone in distress inside a hot vehicle:
Call 911 immediately - emergency responders are trained to handle these situations safely and swiftly.
Do not wait to see if the driver returns. Every minute counts.
Protecting our community
This is a shared responsibility. By staying alert and informed, we can prevent unnecessary tragedies and protect the most vulnerable members of our community.
The Town of Reading thanks you for taking the warning seriously and helping keep our neighbors - and their pets - safe during the heat of summer.
For more safety tips, visit the Reading Public Health Department page on the town website or review this document from the Bureau of Climate and Environmental Health on Extreme Heat.
Flyer by the Town of Reading.
