Gordon Forgey

It is hot.

And, it is going to be hot for a while longer. Forecasts indicate high temperatures will continue.

Heat advisories have been periodically posted. They are a warning to take it easy and a reminder that this weather can be life threatening.

The inside of closed vehicles on hot days can rise very quickly and reach as high as 140 degrees.

There are always tragedies in hot spells like this one. Kids and pets are particularly vulnerable if left in vehicles. The inside of the family car can be a death trap.

Recently, the father of a toddler left his boy in a car while he went to work. He is facing murder charges.

Shoppers at a mall recently broke out a window of a vehicle to rescue two children from a sweltering SUV. The mother had gone to get her hair done.

Any number of pets die in cars as well. These often go unreported.

When ferrying kids and pets, one idea is to put something you will need in the back seat. One women said she routinely puts her purse there. Another said she takes off her shoes and puts them on the back seat.

Then, when they arrive at their destination, they are forced to look there to retrieve their items, perhaps discovering children or pets they had momentarily forgotten.

It is not uncommon to forget a sleeping child or pet when rushed and distracted.

Even the most important thing can be forgotten. Don’t let it be part of the family.

Check the back seat.

Gordon Forgey

Publisher