Hot Weather Safety!

West Midlands Police Issues Hot Weather Warning Over Dangers of Leaving Children and Animals in Vehicles

West Midlands Police is urging motorists across Wolverhampton and the wider region to never leave children or animals unattended in vehicles during the current spell of extreme hot weather.

With temperatures rising across the West Midlands, officers are reminding the public that a parked vehicle can become dangerously hot in a matter of minutes, creating life-threatening conditions for anyone left inside.

Research shows that vehicle temperatures can rise more than 20°C above the outside temperature when parked in direct sunlight. On a day where temperatures reach 30°C, the inside of a vehicle can quickly exceed 50°C, even with windows partially open. Studies have also shown that around 80 per cent of a vehicle's temperature increase can occur within the first 30 minutes.

Recent testing by motoring and safety organisations demonstrated that a vehicle can exceed 40°C internally in as little as 12 minutes, while temperatures can climb from 18°C to 47°C within 30 minutes.

Children and animals are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat. Young children are less able to regulate their body temperature and can become seriously ill very quickly. Heatstroke can develop rapidly, leading to dehydration, organ failure, unconsciousness and, in the most severe cases, death. Animals are equally at risk, as they rely on panting and limited cooling mechanisms to regulate their body temperature.

Leaving windows slightly open provides little protection. Safety experts have repeatedly warned that cracked windows do not significantly reduce the rate at which a vehicle heats up.

West Midlands Police is reminding motorists that there is no safe amount of time to leave a child or pet alone in a vehicle during hot weather. Even a quick trip into a shop, collecting a takeaway or running an errand can have devastating consequences.

Anyone who sees a child or animal in distress inside a vehicle should call 999 immediately if there is an immediate risk to life. Members of the public are also encouraged to remain vigilant, particularly in busy shopping areas, retail parks and car parks during the current heatwave.

As temperatures continue to rise across the region, the message is simple: if you cannot take your child or pet with you when leaving your vehicle, do not make the journey. No errand is worth risking a life.