KPRC2's Haley Hernandez conducts heat experiment in hot car

HOUSTON – KPRC 2 conducted a hot car experiment to demonstrate what happens to an adult’s vital signs inside of a car without air conditioning.

The experiment was under the supervision of medical professionals from Next Level Urgent Care; they have KPRC 2’s Haley Hernandez hooked up to machines reading her vitals.

[WATCH THE EXPERIMENT HERE]

Houston is under a heat advisory, which are issued when the heat index is 108 for two or more consecutive days. This week we have seen several examples of how dangerous this is for children, people who work in the heat and under fire.

Two firefighters in Wharton Wednesday were treated for heat exhaustion and more today at a store in southwest Houston, where firefighting crews were trading off more frequently to avoid heat dangers.


For firefighters, construction crews, mechanics, anyone working under the sun or under a hood, it’s a hazardous job this week

Taking breaks and drinking water are, of course, recommended but knowing when your body has had enough is critical to your safety during the dog days of summer.

Doctors say mild headache, fatigue and nausea are signs you're overheating. If you feel a more severe headache or chills, it's life threatening.

Thursday when a 3-year-old was trapped in a hot car, he went into cardiac arrest, which doctors say is almost always the end of life.

“Sometimes we can get them back from cardiac arrest, we can cool them quickly, but even if you save their life you have to worry that their brain won’t recover properly,” said Dr. Elizabeth Jones, Harris Health/UT Health, “I’ve seen children in cardiac arrest and get better but then not always, and not most of the time.”

Children under 5, adults over 55 and people with chronic illness are urged to stay in air conditioning between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. during this heat advisory, which could extend through the weekend.

Dr. Jones also said pets need to stay inside, do not leave them in hot cars, since they can also experience cardiac arrest.

Pets can also overheat on long walks and hot pavement is known to burn their paws.