Child and dog in the car when it's hot: Can you just smash the window?

Created: 08/05/2022, 18:37

By: Malin Annika Miechowski

Heat in the car can quickly become life-threatening, especially if there are children or animals in it.

In an emergency, the ADAC recommends a radical solution.

Germany – The heat in summer makes being outdoors a challenge.

It also gets hot quickly in the car: In the blazing sun, the temperatures in the interior can quickly rise to up to 60 degrees, according to the ADAC.

This means great danger for the occupants.

In the heat, the car becomes a life-threatening trap: Never leave children and dogs behind

Again and again passers-by discover children or animals in cars in summer.

Then it is important to keep a cool head and make the right decisions.

The decisive factor here is whether the dog or child reacts or moves.

According to the ADAC, one can initially assume that there is a working air conditioning system in the car that supplies people and animals with cool air.

Warning signs, however, should be taken seriously.

This includes, for example, apathetic behavior in children and heavy panting in dogs.

In this case, it is important not to hesitate and call the police on 110 or the emergency number of the fire brigade on 112, the ADAC made clear in a press release.

During the waiting time, be sure to continue to watch the inmates.

Breaking the car window in the heat: secure evidence and inform the police or fire brigade

If the situation worsens, ADAC advises breaking a window of the car in hot weather to gain access.

This should really be a workaround though.

And one important step should not be forgotten: "Before you take action, you should definitely look for witnesses," explains ADAC club lawyer Klaus Heimgärtner.

Because:

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But: If it is actually an emergency, i.e. a “justifiable state of emergency” according to Section 34 of the Criminal Code, there is no need to panic about the possible consequences, the lawyer continues:

Section 228 of the German Civil Code also provides legal protection when the window is smashed, since the damage to property averts a hazard.

But evidence is just as important as witnesses, the ADAC gives as a tip (more life hacks at RUHR24).

Breaking the window of the car in the heat can save lives in an emergency.

© Ralf Gosch/Imago Images

So it is advisable to coordinate the process with the police or the fire brigade and to document the smashing of the car window during the heat in a video.

This way you are prepared for possible disputes.

To prevent this from happening in the first place, neither children nor animals should be left in the car when it is hot – not even for short purchases, reports RUHR24.

Cooling the car in the heat: Simple tips help and prevent emergencies involving children and dogs

, the blazing sun and high temperatures dilate

the blood vessels in the skin.

This means that more blood circulates and the heart has to work harder.

Another risk is dehydration from heavy sweating.

This causes the blood to become more viscous, which means it is life-threatening.

There is a risk of heat stroke.

Pets also need special protection in summer.

So that driving in the car when it's hot doesn't turn into an unwanted visit to the sauna, there are simple tricks that ensure cooling in the vehicle.

A lot of heat can be kept out with the help of insulating foil by clamping it behind the panes.

It is advisable to open the windows before boarding.

With an electric key for the car, this can be done without much effort by holding down the button to open it for a few seconds.

This automatically lowers the windows.