Latest news with #heatAwareness
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Windows down, air on: How to keep your pets safe in vehicles this summer
The summer weather is coming in hot this season and it's important to remember the safety of all our loved ones during this time, including our four-legged friends. Every year, dozens of pets die or receive heat-related injuries from being left or forgotten in sweltering hot vehicles during summer months, according to PETA. Animal safety is especially important during the hotter seasons because they do not cool down the way we do as humans. Dogs and cats pant, rather than sweat, to cool themselves off, meaning their organ systems can get overwhelmed very quickly according to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) 'Cats and dogs are not able to perspire like humans are,' said Brian Carroll, community outreach manager for the Erie Humane Society. 'In order for them to cool down they have to be able to have water or be able to pant and get to cooler air.' Additionally, heat inside the vehicle can rise much faster in temperature and will be significantly hotter than outside of the vehicle. In fact, vehicles can become 20 degrees hotter in just a few minutes. 'Even if you run in the store for 10 minutes, the temperature inside your vehicle can raise rapidly and be over 100 degrees in no time — even if it's 65 to 70 degrees and sunny,' says Carroll. 'The warmer it gets the quicker that it heats up.' Millcreek Township Animal Enforcement Officer William Sandstrom says the department gets on average about three to five calls a week regarding animals left behind in vehicles during the summer months. In the state of Pennsylvania, the Motor Vehicle Extreme Heat Protection Act, also known as, the 'Hot Car Bill,' signed into effect by Gov. Tom Wolf in 2018, states that law enforcement officers and other public safety professionals have the authority to immediately remove a dog or cat from a vehicle if they have a reasonable belief the animal is in imminent danger. With the use of a digital laser thermometer, Officer Sandstrom is able to take a reading of the temperature of the inside of the vehicle to assess the imminence of the situation for the animals inside. Always recorded on a body camera, this may become relevant if the situation makes it to court. Barks and Brews: Brewery offers space and partnership to new dog park business in downtown Erie The "Hot Car Bill" does not necessarily give citizens the authority to immediately enter in these scenarios. Both public safety officials and bystanders have a set of procedures they must follow before considering entering the vehicle. 'You have to make a good faith effort to locate the owner of said animal in the hot car,' said Sandstrom. Only law enforcement officers and public safety officials are explicitly covered under this act, legally allowing them to enter the vehicle and assist any animal in distress protecting them from any liability. The officer or public safety official must also leave behind a note on or in the motor vehicle stating why the entry was made, the name of the person and their employer, a telephone number and where the owner can go to pick up their pet, if possible. If you see an animal in a hot car showing signs of distress or a possible heat-related injury, first, take note of the make and model of the vehicle, then enter any nearby businesses to locate the owner. If you are unable to find the owner of the vehicle, contact the local authorities or call 911. Although it is best to wait for emergency personnel, in dire situations, after taking the proper precautions, bystanders may take the necessary steps to remove the dog or cat from the vehicle, following the same procedure as an officer or public safety official, leaving a note with the proper information. Immediately get the animal to a cool place, with access to water and take it to a nearby vet for further direction. Officer Sandstrom warns about entering vehicles as a bystander, stating some animals may become violent with unknown persons entering the vehicle. 'You could have an aggressive animal inside that vehicle, so you have to have the upmost caution,' Sandstrom warns. More: Erie police officer, police dog escape serious injury in May 31 crash on city's east side Pet owners who are accused and found guilty of intentional negligence may be sentenced to imprisonment, have to pay a hefty fine or both, according to Pa. state law. Both animal and public safety professionals recommend leaving your animals at home, especially if they do not have to come along with you on your outing. 'We always ask that if you can leave your animal at home, it is best to leave them at home,' Carroll said. When you must bring along your four-legged friend, make sure to park in a shady area, crack a window, keep the car running with the air conditioning on, and make sure that your pet has access to water while you are briefly away from your vehicle. Contact Ammiela Agayev at aagayev@ This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie PA authorities encourage owners to leave pets at home during heat
Washington Post
07-06-2025
- General
- Washington Post
How an innovative portable shelter could help India's outdoor workers beat the heat
BENGALURU, India — An innovative portable shelter recently exhibited in one of India's largest cities shows how smart, cheap ways to help workers escape the heat are gaining traction in a country that's particularly vulnerable to climate change-driven extreme temperatures. The Neralu shelter, winner of a design contest in the southern city of Bengaluru, was displayed at the Sweat and Concrete 2025 event in late May alongside a theatrical performance about heat impacts on outdoor workers and exhibits on heat-related studies. Organizer Kanishk Kabiraj said the aim of the exhibition is to raise awareness about how extreme heat is endangering the health and livelihoods of the country's outdoor workforce. It comes amid a shift in India toward greater awareness of climate-related issues in recent years.
Associated Press
07-06-2025
- General
- Associated Press
How an innovative portable shelter could help India's outdoor workers beat the heat
BENGALURU, India (AP) — An innovative portable shelter recently exhibited in one of India's largest cities shows how smart, cheap ways to help workers escape the heat are gaining traction in a country that's particularly vulnerable to climate change-driven extreme temperatures. The Neralu shelter, winner of a design contest in the southern city of Bengaluru, was displayed at the Sweat and Concrete 2025 event in late May alongside a theatrical performance about heat impacts on outdoor workers and exhibits on heat-related studies. Organizer Kanishk Kabiraj said the aim of the exhibition is to raise awareness about how extreme heat is endangering the health and livelihoods of the country's outdoor workforce. It comes amid a shift in India toward greater awareness of climate-related issues in recent years. 'We think that it's important to not only talk conceptually but to try and create models and proof of concept,' Kabiraj said. Neralu, which means shade in Kannada, the most common local language spoken in Bengaluru, consists of a lightweight frame that supports a shade, bench and angled slats operated by manual pulleys to fan people seated within. The shelter costs about $175 and is made of metal, fiber-reinforced plastic and plywood. Weighing roughly 15 kilograms (33 pounds), the shelter for up to four people can be installed on outdoor walls and easily disassembled and transported on the small motor vehicles known as tuk-tuks. 'This kind of shelter will be helpful for people like us who work outdoors,' said Madhe Gowda, a 62-year-old fruit seller who came to the exhibit. 'I sell fruits from my pushcart all day. When it's really hot, my fruits begin to rot and it becomes difficult for me to move around much.' Neralu beat 19 other entries in a contest for designing heat shelters for outdoor workers organized in Bengaluru last year. Ankritya Diggavi, one of the architects behind the design, said it was inspired by speaking to and observing outdoor workers. 'They have made their own makeshift measures using material like beach umbrellas and tarpaulin sheets,' Diggavi said. The designers said the Neralu shelter can be made of recycled and repurposed material from the auto industry or other businesses. They said the design has a lot of room to be modified according to local needs and available materials. 'We wanted something simple, affordable, and quick to assemble,' said Sagar Kandal, another one of the designers. They said they have received interest from both public and private organizations that want to purchase and install these shelters in the city. The Indian Meteorological Department has found the number of extreme heat days increasing in the city, which planning experts say is likely due to climate change and rapid urbanization. And with a rising number of Indian states designing heat and climate change adaptation plans, they said the shelter can work in any heat-stressed city that needs low-cost solutions. Tamanna Dalal, a researcher on heat policy at the New Delhi-based think tank Sustainable Futures Collaborative, said the way cities are built in India is resulting in urban heat islands, parts of cities with higher average temperatures than the surrounding areas. Shelters that take local climate factors into account and can be replicated easily will become 'supremely important' as heat worsens in the coming years, Dalal added. India is among the world's most vulnerable countries to climate impacts, with floods, heat waves and cyclones having resulted in 80,000 deaths and economic losses nearing $180 billion from 1993 to 2022. According to the International Labor Organization, India stands to lose up to 34 million jobs due to increasing heat by 2030. P. Kumaravel, a 42-year-old construction worker who was at the event held over two days at the end of May, welcomed the idea of the shelter, but said good public transport and reliable health insurance are what workers like him need the most. 'This year's heat was really bad. I had rashes and pimples. We rest under a tree when we can, but we're paid to work, not to rest,' he said. 'A shelter is helpful, but it's not enough,' he said. ___ Follow Sibi Arasu on X at @sibi123 ___ The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
CTV News
03-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Tips for keeping your pets safe in the heat
The Ottawa Humane Society tells us how you can keep your friends cool. With summer approaching and high temperatures in the forecast, the Ottawa Humane Society is reminding pet owners about the importance of keeping pets safe from the heat. Sunny weather and highs approaching 30 degrees are in the forecast for Ottawa this week and that can lead to the possibility of heat-related illness and danger for our furry friends. 'Dogs die in hot cars,' said Ottawa Humane Society President & CEO Sharon Miko in a news release. 'Temperatures in vehicles rise extremely quickly — even with windows open. Pets can overheat, leading to brain damage and even death.' Ottawa Humane Society spokesperson Stephen Smith tells CTV Morning Live keeping pets out of cars is the most important thing to remember this time of year. 'When that temperature rises, one of the things we say, of course, is never leave your pet unattended in a hot car. That's just rule number one,' he said. 'Don't just leave the window open a crack. It's never just a couple of minutes. It only takes a very short time for your pet to be in serious danger in a hot car.' Smith says if you're going to be out and about, make sure you can bring your pet in the store with you. If you're going somewhere that doesn't allow pets, then the best place to leave them is safely at home. 'It doesn't even take that 30-plus degree weather. It can be even a mild day, and a car can still get too hot sitting in the sun,' he said. Walks Dogs still need regular exercise and outdoors time, even in the summer, but there are ways to keep them safe when it's hot, says Smith. 'The pavement might be a little bit hot for their paws, so what you can do is walk on the cooler grass to help keep them safe, or else take shorter walks in the morning and in the evening when the temperature cools down a bit,' he said. It's important to have water on hand to make sure pets can cool off. Tips for cats Cats can also suffer in the heat. The Ottawa Humane Society recommends keeping cats indoors. 'Number one for the Humane Society, we always say, keep your cats indoors, it's one of the safest places for them,' said Smith. 'If you do let your cat outside or if you like to walk them on a leash, you can apply some of the tips for the dogs. Make sure fresh water is available, make sure you can bring them in out of the heat, and if you're taking them for a walk, stick to the cool grass stick to the cooler temperatures of day.' Signs of heat exhaustion in pets Smith says to watch for signs your pet isn't feeling well. 'It's really about knowing your particular pets. Some will react great to the heat, they'll love a summer day, others will say I've had too much of this outdoors, please bring me inside,' he said. Signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke can include: Rapid heartbeat Heavy panting Lethargy Lack of coordination Weakness or muscle tremors Glazed eyes Convulsions Unconsciousness 'Of course, you want to make sure you have lots of fresh water on hand to help cool them down. Make sure you can bring them in out of the heat and, if they continue to show those signs, be ready to contact your veterinarian for help,' said Smith. Pets in trouble If you see a loose pet that appears to be in trouble, Smith says there are ways to help. 'Any dog who's on the loose needs help right away. If you're able to secure the dog, you can bring them safely to the Humane Society where we'll help reunite them with their owner,' he said. 'If you're not able to secure the dog, you can call 3-1-1 for some assistance.' The Ottawa Humane Society says if you see an animal alone in a vehicle with the owner nowhere in sight, dial 911.
