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How hot does a car get? Here’s why the heat can be deadly.

The heat that hit much of the United States was nearly fatal for babies in southern Texas. viral video It shows how people had to break through the windshield to save him after he was accidentally locked in a car with his keys. The baby was saved and is believed to be safe, but the incident highlights just how devastating heat can be exposed inside a parked car.

Extreme heat is the number one cause of weather-related deaths in the United States. A parked car is essentially an oven in the sun, even if the outside temperature seems relatively cold compared to the last few weeks.

So how hot does your car get in the sun?all you need is 80 degrees Fahrenheit A day when normal car temperatures are in the triple digits.

According to the CDC, in just 20 minutes on an 80-degree day, the temperature inside your car can reach 109 degrees Fahrenheit. It can reach 118 degrees after 40 minutes and 123 degrees after an hour. So on days when the temperature in the city is in his triple digits—Like the phoenix has been going on for weeks— These temperatures get hotter in a short time.

“The car can quickly reach dangerous temperatures, even if the windows are broken“Anyone stranded in a parked car is at risk, but children are especially at risk of heat stroke and death,” the CDC said.

This graph from the National Weather Service shows how the temperature inside a car rises within minutes due to differences in outside temperature. / Credit: National Weather Service

Objects inside the vehicle will become even hotter and pose a risk of burns.

According to the National Weather Service, the atmosphere inside the car was “warmed up a little“Compared to objects inside a car, for example, dark dashboards and seats can easily reach temperatures of 180 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit or more,” officials said.

“These objects (dashboards, steering wheels, child seats, etc.) heat the air around them by conduction and convection, and also emit long-wave radiation (red), which is very effective in warming the air trapped inside the vehicle,” the officials added.

In Phoenix, where triple-digit temperatures have persisted for weeks, said Dr. Kevin Foster of the Arizona Burn Center. NPR Seat belt buckles also get very hot and can cause burns.

“The interior of a car, especially one with a dark interior, can be 160 or 170 degrees,” says Foster. “The worst thing you can do is touch a metal object inside the car that is exposed to direct sunlight, such as a seat belt buckle.”

When it comes to car safety in the heat of the sun, various agencies share a common message: don’t leave children or pets in a closed car with the windows open.

The National Weather Service also recommends the following if the heat wave persists: keep hydrated Avoid excessive alcohol, wear loose, light and brightly colored clothing, avoid going out during the hottest hours of the day, and eat frequent small meals rather than heavy ones.

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