From portable cooling fans to sunshades, here’s what you need to do
It’s a common scene in summer: you’re running errands, and you quickly hop out of your car to grab a coffee or pick up groceries, leaving the air conditioning running or cracking the windows. It’s not as harmless as it seems: Heat can quickly escalate inside a parked car, turning it into a life-threatening environment—especially for children, pets, and even adults.
How heat escalates inside the car
The temperatures inside a parked car can soar far beyond what’s happening outside. As a CBS news report had once stated, even with the windows cracked, a car’s interior can heat up by 20°F (about 11°C) in just 10 minutes. In 30 minutes, it can reach 40°F (22°C) above the outside temperature. For instance, on a 75°F (24°C) day, the inside of a car can climb to 110°F (43°C) in less than 30 minutes.
This rapid temperature rise is due to the greenhouse effect: sunlight streams through the windows, warming the car’s interior, but heat has a harder time escaping. As a result, you’re met with a sauna-like atmosphere that can overwhelm anyone trapped inside.
Why it’s a serious threat, explain physicians
Children: A child’s body can heat up 3 to 5 times faster than adults, making them particularly vulnerable to heatstroke, which can occur when the body’s temperature rises above 104°F (40°C), explains Dubai-based physician Sonia Matthews.
Even a few minutes in a hot car can cause serious harm.
Pets: Pets are also highly susceptible to heat-related illnesses. Unlike humans, they can’t sweat to cool themselves down. A dog locked in a hot car, even with the windows slightly open—can experience heatstroke within minutes, which can be fatal if not treated immediately, adds Matthews.
Adults: Heat doesn’t spare grown-ups either. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can lead to heat exhaustion, dehydration, dizziness, and, in extreme cases, heatstroke. In an emergency, losing consciousness in a hot car can be deadly, especially if you’re unable to get out in time.
How to stay safe, Matthews suggests:
Never leave children or pets in a car
Even if you’re running a quick errand, leaving children or pets in the car is never safe. The temperature can rise to dangerous levels in mere minutes. If you can’t bring your child or pet inside, leave them at home.
Park in the shade
If you absolutely have to leave your car for a while, park in a shaded area. While it won’t prevent the car from heating up, it will slow down the process.
Car seat covers
When the summer heat turns your car into an oven, a cooling seat cover can be particularly useful. It creates a personal zone of comfort by circulating cool air between your body and the seat—even during sweltering commutes.
Karthika Rane, a teacher based in Dubai, had earlier told Gulf News, “I have to travel long distances between Dubai and Sharjah, so this really saved me. The cover and the cushion are especially helpful on particularly exhausting days,” she says.
So, how does a cooling car seat cover work? These kind of seat covers use a built-in fan to pull heat away from your body and push refreshing air through breathable materials. This cooling airflow spreads across your back and legs, helping regulate your body temperature and making long drives far more bearable.
Moreover, it not only keeps you cool, but also prevents stickiness and discomfort. If you’re spending a lot of time on the road this season, this could be the smartest upgrade for your car comfort.
Carry a portable cooling fan with you
Look for dual fan head systems, which means that it can effectively circulate air throughout the car, ensuring everyone stays cool. These designs allow you to direct the airflow precisely where it’s needed, whether it’s cooling down the driver, passengers, or even pets, for that matter. It’s easy to install, and it won’t take up much space. It also has USB charging ports, so you can stay connected on the go.
Use sunshade or reflectors
Window reflectors or sunshades can reduce the amount of heat that builds up inside the car. It’s a small but effective step to help keep things cooler, especially if you have no choice but to leave a pet in the car for a short time. The best thing about sunshades? They reflect the sun’s rays away from your car, significantly lowering the interior temperature. With double-layer protection—black heat insulation combined with a silver reflective layer—these sunshades block up to 99 per cent of harmful UV rays and heat.
Not only do they keep your car cooler, but they also protect your dashboard, steering wheel, and seats from the fading and cracking that UV rays typically cause. Plus, they help your air conditioner cool down the car faster, which saves both energy and fuel.A
nother bonus: sunshades are easy to store and take up minimal space. Investing in one is a simple way to protect your car and enhance comfort on those hot days.
If you need to leave your car running to keep the AC on, ensure you’re parked in a safe, legal spot with the engine running. A cracked window won’t cut it—heat can escalate quickly inside, even with a slight opening.
Keep a safety kit
Always have a safety kit in your car, which should include a first aid kit, water bottles, and a basic cooling aid, such as a fan or ice packs, in case you or your passengers feel overheated.
Always keep a summer safety kit with:
- Bottled water
- Ice packs or cooling towels
- A battery-powered or USB fan
Install a temperature alarm
For peace of mind, consider installing a temperature alarm or sensor in your car that will alert you if the internal temperature reaches unsafe levels.
Mini air-conditioner
Compact and portable, these devices plugs right into your car’s USB port or lighter socket, circulating cool air instantly to refresh your space. Whether you’re stuck in traffic or parked under the sun, it’s the perfect quick fix to stay breezy and comfortable on scorching days—no waiting for the main AC to catch up.
Source: Gulf News