Extreme heat reduces integrity of child car seat
theweathernetwork.com
Thursday, July 21, 2016, 12:20 PM - As the sizzling summer heat spreads over much of the country, parents are often reminded about the dangers of leaving children in hot cars.
Every year there are reports of children and pets being left unattended and in some cases, the end result has been tragic.
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But what about the toll the Canadian weather can take on car seats? The same heat poses a risk of reducing the integrity of the seat over time.
"In Canada, we are exposed to extreme cold followed by extreme heat, especially in a car, where the cold can be more extreme," says IWK Health Promotion Specialist Katherine Hutka.
Transport Canada recommends you dispose of your child car seat if the expiry date has passed.
"Car seats are made of cloth and fabric and webbing and plastic and metal parts and exposed to these extreme temperatures over many years, these car seats do break down," Hutka says.
Brand new car seats generally last about seven to nine years, but if buying used, be sure to always check for the manufacture date.
Never safe to leave a child or pet alone in a hot car
When the temperature is 26 degrees Celsius outside, it can climb to 32 degrees inside a car that's parked in the shade, and 71 degrees if the car is parked in the sun within minutes.
Officials say there is no acceptable amount of time to leave a child unattended in a hot car, even with the windows down.
Children and pets are at a higher risk of heat-related illness because they are not able to regulate and cool their body temperature as efficiently as an adult.
VIDEO: SEE WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE LOCKED INSIDE A HOT CAR:
