Excessive heat can cause injury and illness because most people are not acclimated to the heat; it can also increase the chance of fires in homes and businesses. Las Vegas Fire & Rescue and Animal Protective Services share tips below for keeping pets and humans alike safe in the summer heat.
Las Vegas Fire & Rescue
Our Fire & Medical Communications Center receives, on average, one or two heat-related calls a day. During an Excessive Heat Warning, we can go to as many as 50 calls per day.
Most importantly, NEVER leave pets or people locked in hot cars, even for just a few minutes. The temperature can rise to 135 degrees in less than five minutes, which can result in death for children or pets. If you see a child or pet unattended in a parked car, you should call 9-1-1 and alert authorities.
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can happen quickly. With heat exhaustion, the victim will suffer dizziness, light-headedness and sweating profusely. Have the victim rest in a cool place and drink fluids, such as water. This condition should clear in a few minutes. Heat Stroke is a medical emergency. Usually, the person will faint and may remain unconscious. Their skin will be hot, red in color and the victim will not be sweating. You should move the victim to a cool place, wet the skin with cool, wet cloths and do not give the victim anything to drink. Call 9-1-1.
Tips for your home and vehicle during extreme heat
Many people have refrigerators or freezers in the garage or in a storage room that is not cooled by an air conditioner. To keep the interior of the refrigerator/freezer cold, the compressor has to work extra hard.
If the room or garage is very hot, the compressor on the refrigerator/freezer could work almost constantly. When the compressor is working, even properly, it gets extremely hot and can cause a fire.
Extension cords should not be used with refrigerator/freezer or air-conditioning units. If they are running constantly and the extension cord is not designed to carry the required electrical load, the cord will heat up quickly and cause a fire.
Any chemicals that are left exposed to direct sunlight in this extreme heat can cause a fire. Paints, fuels, and the like can cause explosions in some cases.
One house on the north side of the city was completely destroyed because the occupant was painting on the patio and left a small can of paint thinner exposed to the sun in extreme heat. Within minutes, the thinner ignited, and the back of the house caught on fire and spread quickly.
Equipment, regardless of what it is, needs ongoing maintenance.
Check units for frayed wires and keep units clean. Fans accumulate dust and dirt around the motor, which has caused many fires. Vacuum the fan from time to time to keep the motor clean.
Air-conditioner units should be maintained by a qualified air-conditioning technician at least once every two years to ensure they are clean, working efficiently, and safely.
Any aerosol can should not be left in vehicles, especially in direct sunlight. Items, such as videotapes, CDs or DVDs, can be damaged.
Other items, such as small electronic equipment like cell phones, cameras, laptops, iPads, and tablets, can be damaged due to the heat, which may reach as high as 160 degrees in the vehicle.
Animal Protective Services
Hot summer days in the desert can be deadly for people and their pets. Unlike humans, animals can't regulate their body temperature as efficiently and rely heavily on their owners to keep them safe. Taking proactive steps during hot weather is essential.
Our animal control officers work seven days a week and are available to ensure pets are being properly cared for. Never leave pets locked in hot cars, even for just a few minutes. If you see an unattended pet in distress in a parked car, call 9-1-1 and alert authorities.
Pets in Las Vegas are significantly at risk of overheating, especially dogs, older pets, overweight animals and those with respiratory conditions. Cats, though more likely to seek shade, can also suffer in extreme temperatures.
Know the symptoms of overheating in pets. Common signs of heatstroke in pets include:
- Excessive panting or drooling
- Lethargy or weakness
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Collapse or unresponsiveness
- Bright red or pale gums
Immediate veterinary attention is crucial if you suspect heatstroke. If you suspect your pet is overheating, move them to a shaded or air-conditioned area, offer small amounts of water, apply cool (not cold) water to their body, especially paws, belly and armpits and use a fan to help with evaporative cooling.
Pets can become dehydrated quickly, so provide them with plenty of fresh, clean water and avoid taking them for walks during the hottest parts of the day. Keep pets indoors between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., when temperatures and UV rays are strongest. If your pet needs exercise, take walks early in the morning or after sunset.
Keep your pets indoors whenever possible. Due to the scorching pavement, avoid walking your pet during high heat temperatures.
The pads of dogs' feet can easily become burned. Pavement in direct sun gets hot enough to cause second or third-degree burns.
Precautions need to be taken if pets are taken outdoors, including wearing dog booties to protect their feet and testing surfaces like asphalt and concrete with your hand. If it's too hot for you, it's too hot for their paws.
We've strengthened our animal cruelty laws to help protect pets. You are required by law to provide ample shade and access to cool water for your animal. Furthermore, when a heat advisory is anticipated, you must provide a method for your animal to avoid overheating.
Items such as misting systems, air conditioners, and swamp coolers can be utilized. The Las Vegas City Council has updated the city's municipal code related to animal cruelty by requiring:
- Cooling devices when the temperature is expected to exceed 105 degrees (misters, swamp coolers, or air conditioners)
- No animal is tethered, tied, or restrained for more than 10 hours in a 24-hour period
- No animal can be tethered during a National Weather Service heat advisory.
You can always report concerns to the city of Las Vegas Animal Protection Services by calling 702-229-6444, option 2.