Amid Extreme Heat, Mercer Sheriff Urges Caution Against Hot Cars

EAST WINDSOR, NJ – With temperatures rising dangerously across New Jersey, Mercer County Sheriff Jack Kemler is reminding residents about the dangers of a hot car.

With Mercer County and surrounding areas under excessive heat warnings and advisories, Kemler said it’s essential to recognize that during extreme temperatures, the interior of a car can heat up in minutes, becoming dangerously hot and potentially deadly.

Kemler and the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office are collaborating with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to prevent childhood deaths by reminding parents and caregivers not to leave children in hot cars.

The Mercer County Sheriff’s Office urges all parents and caregivers to:

• NEVER leave a child unattended in a car! (This includes pets!)
• COMMIT TO MEMORY to always check the back seat when exiting your car.
• This simple action can save lives and prevent tragic accidents.
• SOME VERY NEW CARS have added rear occupant alert systems. Refer to your owner's manual to determine if your vehicle is equipped with this new feature, and then activate it accordingly.
• REMEMBER, heat-related deaths are preventable. LOOK AGAIN BEFORE YOU LOCK.

Dangerously hot conditions and an air quality alert have been issued for Mercer County this week.

An extreme heat warning has been issued from Monday through Wednesday night as heat index values up to 110 are possible, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

"The hottest temperatures and heat indices will occur on Monday and Tuesday. Low temperatures near 75 to 80 degrees and high humidity will not offer much relief from the heat at night," according to NWS.

Additionally, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has issued a code orange air quality alert Monday.

"A code orange air quality alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include children, people suffering from asthma, heart disease, or other lung diseases, and the elderly. The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors," according to the NWS.

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