Dog Days of Summer: Protecting your pets in extreme heat

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - Summer is officially here, and as temperatures rise, the importance of hot weather safety grows.

During the summertime, surfaces such as roads, are exponentially hotter than the air temperatures. On a 95-degree day, outdoor surfaces can get as hot as 140 degrees. Consider this when you go for a walk with your pets, as paw burns can happen in less than five minutes.

Remember to always practice paw safety to protect your four-legged friends.

• Apply a wax or balm to prevent burns
• Avoid hot pavement during hottest part of the day
• Purchase dog shoes to protect paws from hot surfaces
• Place your hand on the pavement for 10 seconds, if it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your pet’s paws

It’s imperative to never leave people or pets inside a closed car. On 90-degree day temperatures can get up to 40 degrees warmer in an hour.

Heat is the number one weather related killer, so never underestimate its danger.

Stay hydrated, cool, and safe in the summer months ahead.

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