A spike in reports of children and pets left in hot cars has Kelowna RCMP very concerned.
“Over the past few days, the Kelowna RCMP have fielded several of the usual complaints of dogs left in cars. Unfortunately, they have also responded to at least a couple situations where a child was left inside the sweltering heat,” said Cnst. Kris Clark, RCMP spokesperson. “Your car is basically a miniature greenhouse and temperatures can skyrocket extremely quickly inside. Animals and small children don’t always have the ability to escape the vehicle or cope with the heat for long, so no amount of time left in a vehicle is appropriate.
“It is never OK to leave kids or pets in a car, even with the windows down.”
RCMP are asking parents to take their children along, even on quick stops, to avoid disaster.
In a press release issued Friday morning, the detachment reminded parents that heat stroke can occur very quickly and unexpectely in children and pets causing dizziness, disorientation, agitation, confusion, sluggishness, seizures, loss of consciousness and it can kill the child or animal.
“The Kelowna RCMP have a duty to report incidents involving children to the Ministry of Children and Family Development,” the statement reads. “Even if the child is unharmed, the person responsible could face criminal charges.”
Anyone who sees a child or animal left in a car unattended is asked to 911 immediately.
