Summer

Kids and Pets in Cars - Heat SafetyAuto Safety

Over the past 25 years, more than 965 children and an untold number of pets have died of heatstroke, because they were left or became trapped in a hot car.  These tragedies can happen to anyone - but are always preventable.

The warm days and nights of Spring and Summer are upon us, which is a good time to remind everyone about the dangers of leaving children or pets in a locked vehicle.  

Each year, dozens of children and countless numbers of pets left in parked vehicles die from hyperthermia, which occurs when the body absorbs more heat than it can handle.   Hyperthermia can occur even on a mild day with temperatures in the 70s. For example, when it is 72 °F outside, the temperature inside a car can heat up to 116 °F within an hour, and at 80 °F outside, the temperature inside a car can heat up to 99 °F within 10 minutes. Rolling down the windows or parking in the shade does little to change the interior temperature of the vehicle.  

The younger the child the more severe the effects because their bodies have not developed the ability to efficiently regulate its internal temperature.

Child Safety Recommendations

  • NEVER leave a child in a vehicle unattended for any length of time.
  • Make it a habit to check your entire vehicle – especially the back seat – before locking the doors and walking away.  Be sure all occupants leave the vehicle when unloading.  Don’t overlook sleeping babies.
  • Keep a stuffed animal in the car seat and when the child is put in the seat place the animal in front with the driver.  Or place your purse, briefcase, or cell phone in the back seat as a reminder that you have a child in the car.
  • Teach children that vehicles are never to be used as a play area.  If a child is missing, always check the pool first, and then the car, including the trunk.
  • Always lock your car when you are not using it and ensure children do not have access to keys or remote entry devices.  Even if you don’t have a child of your own, a child in the neighborhood could get into your unlocked vehicle.
  • Teach children that if they cannot get out of the rear doors of the vehicle, try the front doors; and if that fails, honk the horn to get the attention of others.
  • Have a plan that your childcare provider will call you if your child does not show up for school.

Act Fast.  Save a Life.  

Protecting children is everyone’s business.  If you see a child alone in a car; get involved.

Don’t wait for the driver to return.  Call 911 right away.  The 911 operator can help give you instructions on how to care for the child.

If the child is not responsive or is in distress, immediately:

                 - Get them out of the car by any means necessary.

                 - Move them to a cooler environment (somewhere with AC or shade if AC is not available).

                 - Remove the child’s clothing to let the heat dissipate from their skin.

                 - Dampen them with cool water or wet rags, immerse them in cool water (not in an ice bath).

If the child is responsive and not in distress - Stay with them until help arrives.  Ask someone else if they can locate the driver.  You might suggest they ask security or a store manager to page them.

Information provided by:  No Heat Stroke, NHTSA - Child Safety, or Kids and Car Safety.

Pet Safety

Leaving pets in parked vehicles is never safe.  But when the weather gets warmer, it can be deadly.  High temperatures can cause irreparable organ damage and even death.   Protecting animals from an unnecessary death is a problem we all can agree to prevent.

How to Help a Dog or Cat Left in a Hot Car

  • Doggy in CarTake down the car’s make, model and license plate number.
  •  If there are businesses nearby, notify their managers or security guards and ask them to make an announcement to find the vehicle’s owner.  Many people are unaware of the danger of leaving pets in hot vehicles and will quickly return to their vehicle once they are alerted to the situation.
  •  If the owner can’t be found, call the non-emergency number of the local police or animal control, and wait by the vehicle for them to arrive.  In several states, good Samaritans can legally remove animals from vehicles under certain circumstances, so be sure to know the laws in your area and follow any steps required.

IL Statute (510 ILCS 70/7.1 – Humane Care for Animals Act states:

No owner or person shall confine any animal in a motor vehicle in such a manner that places it in a life or health threatening situation by exposure to a prolonged period of extreme heat or cold, without proper ventilation or other protection from such heat or cold. In order to protect the health and safety of an animal, an animal control officer, law enforcement officer, or Department investigator who has probable cause to believe that this Section is being violated shall have authority to enter such motor vehicle by any reasonable means under the circumstances after making a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other person responsible.

In addition, HEAT STRESS IS NOT THE ONLY DANGER YOUR PET FACES when left alone in a car.  Many pets are stolen each year from unattended cars.

Pets often prefer to stay home, but if you must take your pet with you in your car, do so safely: Cats should ride in pet carriers, and dogs should ride in travel crates or wear a safety harness.  When a pet travels, they should wear two ID tags – one with a home address and one with a destination address.

For more information on pet safety, visit: The Humane Society, National Weather Service - Children, Pets and Vehicles, or American Veterinary Medical Association - Pets in Vehicles.

Remember, EVERYONE can help prevent hot vehicle deaths.       

Outdoor Fire PiFire Pit with Peoplwt Safety

Visit our Fall Safety Tips section to learn safety practices for using Outdoor Fire Pits during the Summer and Fall months.

Bicycles

Time To Fill Up Those Bicycle Tires

Bicycling is one of the best ways to get exercise, see the sights and reduce your carbon footprint.  Unfortunately, bicyclists face many hazards.  They often must share the road with vehicles, and injuries can happen on the road and even on a designated path.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 966 bicyclists were killed in traffic crashes in 2021. Find out what you can do to prevent bicycle injuries and deaths.  A large percentage of crashes can be avoided if motorists and cyclists follow the rules of the road and watch out for each other.

There is one way in which drivers can help keep cyclists safe is called the far-hand reach, or Dutch Reach.  It is a simple technique that will stop you and your passengers from opening your vehicle door in front of an oncoming vehicle, cyclist or pedestrian.  This works for streets, sidewalks and parking lots.  This technique teaches people sitting in vehicles to open the door using their far hand.  If you are sitting on the driver's side, reach for the door handle using your right hand.  If you are on the passenger side, open the door using your left hand.  This will force you to check your side mirror and over your left (driver) or right (passenger) shoulder for bicyclists or pedestrians.  Once you see that it is clear, gently open the door and slowly exit the vehicle.

Bicyclist Safety Tips

Remember the following tips when riding bicycles:

  • Always obey traffic signs and signals and be courteous to other traffic.
  • Use proper hand signals when making turns, so other motorists know where you intend to go.
  • Never ride against traffic, and always follow the lane markings.  In addition, do not weave in and out or between traffic.
  • Make eye contact with other motorists to make sure they see you.
  • Allow extra stopping distance, and always keep a hand on the brake in case you need to make a sudden stop.
  • Wear neon, fluorescent or other bright clothing.  If you must ride at night, wear reflective clothing and use flashing lights.
  • Always wear a bike helmet for safety.  Visit National Safety Council - Fitting Your Bike Helmet to learn how to choose the proper helmet.

Getting Ready for Grilling Season

There is nothing like the flavor of food cooked on the grill in the summertime.  Unfortunately, the National Fire Protection Association reports that on average 10,600 home fires are started by grills each year.  July is the peak month for grill fires, followed by June, May and August.  Learn some simple safety tips to make your summer grilling safe and delicious.

  • Only use your grill outside.  Keep it at least 3 feet from the home, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
  • Keep a 3-foot safe zone around your grill to keep children and pets safe.
  • Maintain your grill by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.
  • Never leave your grill unattended.  
  • Keep combustible accessories such as oven mitts or paper plates at a safe distance.

For Charcoal Grills:

  • Consider using an electric charcoal starter or a charcoal chimney starter instead of lighter fluid to get the charcoal ready to use.  The chimney starter allows you to start the charcoal using newspaper as a fuel.
  • If you do use a starter fluid, use only charcoal starter fluid.  Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to the fire.
  • When you are finished grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposing in a metal container.
  • Never use your barbeque grill to burn waste or garbage.

For Propane Grills:

  • Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before lighting it.
  • Check the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year.  Apply a light soap and water solution to the hose.  A propane leak will release bubbles.  If your grill has a gas leak, by smell or the soapy bubble test, and there is no flame, turn off both the gas tank and the grill.  If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again.  It the leak does not stop, call the fire department.  If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not move the grill.
  • If the flame goes out while cooking, turn the grill and gas off and wait at least 5 minutes before re-lighting it.
Grilling Safety

Fireworks Safety

Summer, 4th of July, and fireworks go together like apple pie and ice cream.  The National Safety Council advises everyone to enjoy fireworks at public displays conducted by professionals, and not to use any fireworks at home.  They may be legal, but they are not safe.  Annually, more than 19,500 reported fires are started by fireworks.  In addition, fireworks cause thousands of injuries every year that are serious enough to require medical treatment.  Many of these injuries are to children and young adults.

Here are a few Safety Tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for consumers who decide to purchase legal fireworks and use them.

  • NEVER allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.  Older children should use them only under close adult supervision.
  • NEVER place any part of your body directly over fireworks or devices when lighting the fuse.  Light fireworks one at a time. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting them.
  • DO NOT try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. 
  • KEEP a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishaps.  Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding.
  • NEVER point or throw fireworks at another person.

Fireworks Safety4


Sparklers are a lot more dangerous than most people think. 

Sparklers burn at about 1,200 degrees - hot enough to melt some metals.

Sparklers can quickly ignite clothing, and children have received severe burns from dropping sparklers on their feet.

Consider using GLOW STICKS.  They glow in the dark and are a safe alternative to a sparkler.  Fun for all ages!


The Hanover Park Fire Department wishes all of our residents a safe and fun summer!!