When the hot, humid Oklahoma summers come around, you need to to be aware of car safety concerns with the heat. We frequently concentrate on
keeping our homes cool but forget about the cars. Here are some tips and tricks for keeping your car cool and safe during the Oklahoma summer.
Safety
The most important thing to remember is that your car can be
extremely hot during the Oklahoma summers, and when parked, it becomes like an oven. According to experts, the temperatures in a car can reach 150 degrees in less than an hour, even if the windows are left open a bit. This is not only dangerous but can be fatal.
- Never leave a child or pet in a car. Unfortunately, this has happened far too many times, either by accident or when a person doesn't expect to be gone long. Children are more sensitive to temperature changes than adults, and even when death is not the result, heat exposure can cause irreversible brain damage. Children can suffer heat stroke in a matter of minutes.
- Don't leave your car unlocked. Many heat-related car deaths result when children get into unlocked cars to play. Lock car doors and trunks, even when at home, and make sure keys are not accessible to children.
- When your car has been parked in the sun, be particularly cautious of seat belt buckles and car seats. They can often be hot enough to cause serious burns.
- Check your fluids regularly. During the Oklahoma summer, the last thing you want is for your car to overheat. Have your automobile serviced regularly during the hot months.
Summer Car Tips
When it is extremely hot outside in the Oklahoma summer, there are a few simple things that you can do to keep the heat down inside your car.
- Park in the Shade - If at all possible, try to find a parking spot in the shade. Even if it means you have to walk a bit further, you'll be glad to do it when you return to a car that isn't sweltering inside.
- Purchase a Sunshade - These are quite cheap and very effective. You can purchase shades for the front windshield as well as others for back windows. In conjunction with the next tip, heat can be significantly reduced when you're not able to park in the shade.
- Get Your Windows Tinted - Just about any dealership service department or auto facility can tint your windows, and the cost is very reasonable. Some windshield/tinting specialists can do the job in no time at all, and it's definitely worth it. Also, they will be aware of Oklahoma laws on window tint level.
- Keep a Summer Auto Kit - In the winter time, we make sure to have an ice scraper. In the spring and fall, we typically carry an umbrella. And we always have jumper cables and a spare tire. So prepare the same way for the Oklahoma summer heat. Bring extra water when you leave the house, perhaps a cooler, and throw a few towels in to cover seats or the steering wheel when the car is parked.
- Be Careful What You Leave in the Car - Last but certainly not least, take care on what you leave in the car. Obviously, you wouldn't leave the ice cream or milk you just bought at the supermarket, but don't forget that the Oklahoma summer heat can destroy common car contents such as CDs or DVDs, pressurized items like hairspray or soda cans, credit cards, cell phones and other electronic devices.
