COLUMBUS – A stretch of hot weather has prompted warnings about leaving children and pets in cars and advisories for people with breathing problems.
Air Quality Alert (Unhealthy for sensitive groups) for Wed. July 19, 2017
The high temperatures Wednesday was forecast to reach about 92 degrees, according to WBNS 10-TV meteorologist Ashlee Baracy, and the heat index could be several degrees hotter.
So far this year, 21 children have died after being left in a hot car, according to the auto club AAA, which says the temperature inside a car can rise 20 degrees in 10 minutes.
Cracking a window does little to keep the car cool so AAA officials recommend creating a system to help remember that a child is in the vehicle. They suggest keeping a stuffed toy in the car seat when the child is not seated there and moving it to the front seat when the child is in the vehicle, or keeping the diaper bag in the front seat as a reminder.
Parents are cautioned to never let their children play around the car. They should make sure the vehicle, including the trunk, is locked, the windows closed, and the keys and remote stored out of reachwhen the car is not in use. Also, keep the keys and remote out of reach.
Pets are also susceptible to death or illness in a hot car.
Dogs don’t sweat the same way humans do, so AAA experts say it’s harder for them to cool themselves and that animals can actually suffer brain damage or even die of heatstroke within just 15 minutes of being trapped inside a hot car.
A new Ohio law, which took effect Aug. 29, 2016, protects kids and pets left in vehicles. If the door is locked and the police have been called, a bystander is allowed to break a car window without fear of being sued for the damage or charged criminally.
The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission has issued an Air Quality Alert for sensitive groups on Wednesday due to high levels of ozone pollution.
The agency says calm winds through the morning hours will limit pollutant dispersion, and light winds in the afternoon will bring additional pollutants into the area.
Mostly sunny skies and warm temperatures, combined with pollutant carryover from Tuesday, will cause Air Quality Index levels to be unhealthy for groups, around 100, according to MORPC officials.
Thursday through Sunday, increasing clouds will reduce ozone formation, and scattered thunderstorms will enhance vertical mixing in the atmosphere.