Leaving a Baby or Pet in a Hot Car

My daughter, JLHanna, a college graduate and I had a discussion about the issue of leaving a baby or a pet in the heat of summer. Summer is now upon us and here are some very important heatlh tips for the summer that each and everyone of us should be reminded of. Recently in the news there have been reports of people leaving their pets and young children unattended in their cars in the heat of summer. For young children and pets, this will jeopardize the health and well-being of both your child and your pet. This could cause a dehydrated baby in a matter of minutes. Leaving a baby and a pet in a car in the hot summer weather is just senseless.

1. What would you do if you saw a baby or a pet left in a car in the heat of summer?

Me - I would try to get the baby or pet out of the car and if I couldn't do that, I would then call the authorities.

JLHanna – I would first contact the police and speak to an operator who could then advise me on the next steps to take. Breaking into a vehicle may not be the best way to handle this situation.

2. Why do you think people leave their children and pets in their cars in the heat of summer?

Me - I think people leave their children and pets in their cars in the heat of summer because they are just too lazy to take the time to take their children and pets with them. For starters, no pets should be in a vehicle in the heat of the summer. If you are going to take your child in the car, make sure you aren't going to need to leave the child alone. The problem most people have these days is that they are always in a hurry and they don't think before they act.

JLHanna – I agree with the idea that some people don’t think before they act but I don’t agree with your statement that leaving pets/children in the vehicle is laziness. Even though there is no real good excuse for leaving your pet or child in a vehicle you could see how this could easily become an alternative to taking a rowdy/upset/on the go child into a place of business when the parents themselves could already be too stressed out to handle any unnecessary situations. Some businesses just don’t allow pets to enter their store.

3. What do you think should be done to stop people from leaving their children and pets in their vehicles?

Me - I think that having children and pets is a priviledge and if people abuse them, they should not be able to keep them. People have to stop and realize that when they do this they are putting their children's health and their pet care health in jeopardy. I think people who do this should have to attend some kind of parenting course or pet care course before they are allowed to have their children or pets back.

JLHanna – I almost feel that what you stated is almost too harsh of a punishment. Even though leaving your child/pet may result in a deadly situation it doesn’t mean they don’t love or care for their child/pet. I think classes would be beneficial for everybody. Some people just aren’t aware of the dangers they are putting their children in when they leave them in the vehicle.

4. What do you think would happen to a child or a pet if it was left in a hot vehicle for an extended length of time?

Me - I think that in a matter of a short period of time, we would be talking about deaths of babies and pets.

JLHanna – I also agree with what you have said here. Vehicles, when shut off, can become very overheated very quickly depending on the temperature outside.

5. What are your final thoughts on this matter?

Me - I think that anyone that has a child or a pet should treat them with the love and respect that they deserve. I think that people forget that children and pets are a priviledge and not something you can abuse. Leaving a baby or pet in a car unattended should definitely be considered abuse.

JLHanna – I think when people go out shopping or to do errands pets should be left at home. If you have your children with you on these errands do not leave them in your vehicle no matter the circumstances. Leaving a child or pet in a vehicle could very quickly result in a deadly situation very quickly.