Like checking your smoke detector batteries when you set your clocks forward in the spring, there are some important safety reminders for the summer season in Southern Nevada. Here are some ways to help you stay cool, hydrated and safe during triple-digit temperatures.
One of the most important things during the summer months is to stay cool and hydrated, which can be hard for the homeless, seniors and even pets. Leslie Carmine, director of media and community relations at Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, says that the nonprofit sees heightened demand at both the day and night shelters during summer and winter months. During the hottest and coldest months of the year, their overnight shelter population swells to more than 600, up from an average of 500 a night during more temperate months.
The nonprofit’s facilities are open daily and offer free meals, cold water, clean bathrooms, showers and a set of toiletries for those in need. Carmine says that vulnerable populations, including seniors who may not be able to afford to run air conditioning, can go to the shelter during the hottest parts of the day as well. During peak summer months, their day shelter, which is only funded to provide services for 150 people, routinely can have 300 or more people. “It’s usually more than that,” Carmine says.
When the temperature gets to 110 degrees or hotter, the charity is part of a Clark County network that provides free cooling stations. Other cooling stations include The Salvation Army, Shade Tree and several county recreation centers.
According to KidsAndCars.org, an average of 37 children die in hot vehicles each year. All the experts agree you should never leave a child or infant in a car during warm weather.
“Anyone who is really vulnerable can get inside and out of the heat and get something to drink,” Carmine says.
Catholic Charities also runs the Meals on Wheels program for the cities of Las Vegas and North Las Vegas. (The city of Henderson runs its Meals on Wheels program.) The program serves more than 2,100 seniors and their pets. The charity started providing pet food as part of Meals on Wheels when volunteers noticed that seniors were giving their own food to pets and not leaving enough for themselves, Carmine says.
Speaking of pets, as the weather gets hot, it’s important to remember to never leave your pet in the car. According to the Humane Society, on an 85-degree day the temperature inside a car can reach 102 degrees in a matter of minutes. Be sure to provide shade and water and to limit time outside for your pets during the hottest parts of the day.
Child safety in cars is very important as well. According to KidsAndCars.org, an average of 37 children die in hot vehicles each year. All the experts agree you should never leave a child or infant in a car during warm weather. On the federal government’s SaferCar.gov, the recommended course of action if you see a child in a hot car is to call 911 and get the child out of the car immediately. There are even apps designed to help drivers remember to take their kids out of the car, including Precious Cargo and Kars4Kids Safety.
And don’t forget about car safety during hotter months. AAA Nevada recommends doing routine maintenance checkups on your vehicle—including checking the car battery, tire wear and getting an oil change before road trips. It’s also a good idea to keep an emergency pack in your trunk that includes bottles of water, flashlights and reflective cones.
Of course, anyone who has spent a summer in the Valley knows how valuable water can be on hot days. For those who want to help our community’s most vulnerable, people can donate to HELP of Southern Nevada’s HELP20 water drive. From June 1 to August 31, you can donate bottled water at any Whole Foods location. This is the fifth year the grocery store chain has partnered with HELP of Southern Nevada and will donate the money from change jars at check stands as well.
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