Sangamon Sun

As the dog days of summer approach, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and county and municipal emergency management agencies are reminding parents and other Illinoisans of the importance of keeping safe in the heat. 

According to a press release, an average of 37 children per year die of heatstroke from being locked in a hot car, and 14 children have died from the heat in 2017, as of July.

“No one should ever be left in a parked car, even for a short time,” IEMA Director James Joseph said in a statement. “Temperatures inside a parked vehicle can rapidly rise to dangerous levels even if the windows are open slightly, and can lead to brain damage or death.”

IEMA Director James Joseph | https://www.illinois.gov

The IEMA offered a list of cooling tips for hot days, includng keeping car doors and trunks locked, keeping keys out of the reach of children, checking on friends and family who do not have air conditioning, taking advantage of pools and cooling centers, avoiding strenuous outdoor activities and staying well-hydrated.

“We experience hot and humid conditions several times during the summer in Illinois," Chris Miller, warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Lincoln, said, according to the press release. "The combination of this heat and humidity can reach dangerous levels, particularly for those spending time outdoors in direct sunlight and in buildings without air conditioning. Illnesses and fatalities due to heat are preventable. Never leave children or pets unattended in a vehicle; look before you lock your automobile.”

For more information, visit www.Ready.Illinois.gov.