RAPID CITY, S.D. — Summer temperatures can go from pleasant to extreme in a matter of minutes – especially in a vehicle.As temperatures start to rise, emergency services are reminding people to think about the heat and how it can impact animals and people.

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Every year, emergency services in Rapid City responds to calls concerning people or animals in hot cars.While the Rapid City Police Department hasn’t responded to any hot car calls so far this summer, it’s inevitable they will as summer heats up.“It’s not unusual to get those types of calls in the spring and the summer months, especially when the weather starts to warm up,” said Lt. Kelvin Masur, Rapid City Police Department. “You need to remember that, you know, it’s a simple 65 degrees outside, but it only takes a few minutes for that weather to increase the temperatures inside of that car, well over 100 sometimes, you need to remember that cars can certainly turn into a furnace in just a matter of minutes.”Animals in cars is a common call in the summer months. Occasionally the police will receive calls about children in cars or to check on a person in a vehicle.Masur said if you see something or someone in a hot car that causes concern, the first step is to dial 911.“You know, if you’re looking at a life and death situation for a person, you’re going to have to make that decision as soon as possible,” Masur said. “What you think is right. Use good judgment. Act upon how you believe that it should be acted upon. But before you even do that, I would strongly recommend that you get 911 notified, so we can get there and make that determination ourselves to see how we can best safely resolve whatever we’re looking at.”

By
Jerry Steinley

Jerry Steinley has lived in the Black Hills most of his life and calls Rapid City home. He received a degree in Journalism with a minor in Political Science from Metropolitan State University in Denver in 1994.