Motorists have been warned to consider one important thing every time they open their petrol, diesel or electric car door this summer. Kazimieras Urbonas, Supplier Excellence Manager at Ovoko stressed road users should always consider the temperature inside the cabin before getting inside.
Experts stress that road users could be entering a “death trap” with hot weather likely amplified inside some vehicles. Pets and children are among the most affected, while drivers could become easily distracted with the extreme heat. According to the specialists, on a typical summer day of around 25 Celsius, car interiors can sometimes soar to 47 Celsius or even higher.
Mr Urbonas said: “People rush to get into their cars without thinking about what they’re stepping into. A parked car in direct sunlight can become a death trap within minutes. The greenhouse effect inside vehicles is severely underestimated. Metal components like seatbelt buckles, steering wheels, and gear sticks can reach temperatures of 60C or more, which is hot enough to cause second-degree burns on contact.”
“I’ve seen people suffer burns from simply touching their seatbelt buckle. The symptoms can escalate quickly, from feeling lightheaded to experiencing heat exhaustion within minutes.”
To counter the issues, road users have been urged to try and cool down their car interior before getting inside. Simply opening up all the car windows and doors for between 30 and 60 seconds will allow any hot air to escape.
Allowing cooler air to circulate will take the sting out of the interior and prevent road users from walking into sauna-like conditions. A lot of newer vehicles can control a car’s ventilation features digitally through their key fob or an app.
These systems can start the air conditioning or lower windows before road users reach their car, helping motorists get a head start. Motorists will have to take a more manual approach on older vehicles but should always ensure they follow the advice instead of feeling uncomfortable.
Urbonas added: “First, unlock your car remotely if possible. Open the driver’s door and all windows immediately. If you have multiple doors, open them too. Wait at least 30 seconds before getting in, and always check the temperature of metal surfaces before touching them.”
