www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, August 12, 2016 | 6 It should go without saying -- heck, who would even think to do this -- don't leave kids, or pets or anyone in hot cars. Yet, every summer, child welfare advocates remind people of the potentially fatal dangers associated with such carelessness. Already this year, a number of children across Ontario were left alone in vehicles in scorching temperatures. Most recently this week, in neighbouring Milton, police were called to a store, where police say a woman left three children in a locked vehicle. Of cers intervened and spoke with the woman, after she exited the store. The investigation continues. In late July, a couple left a baby in a vehicle in a Markham store parking lot. They were charged with leaving a child unattended -- an offence under the Child and Family Services Act. No one should leave a child, pet or anyone else unattended in a vehicle, ever -- let alone a vehicle with the windows up in mid-summer. In case you didn't know, here are the facts: · The temperature inside a parked vehicle can exceed 50C within 10-20 minutes on a typical Canadian summer day; · Opening the windows slightly does not reduce the temperature; · Heatstroke occurs at 40.5C; · Young children, especially infants, are up to five times more sensitive to heat than adults; · Rising temperatures inside a vehicle can cause a child to suffer from heat stress, dehydration, shock and, in extreme cases, death. "If you have to leave your car, even to run a quick errand, take your children with you," urged the Children's Aid Society of Halton. "Never use a car as your substitute babysitter." The local branch of the Children's Aid Society recommends parents and caregivers make a habit of looking in their vehicle -- front and back -- before exiting their car. They should also ensure the doors to the vehicle are locked and keys are kept out of children's reach. Parents and caregivers should be especially careful if they change their routine or have someone else drive their child. "Follow up to ensure they arrived at their destination," suggests the Society. Members of the public should take immediate action if they see a child alone in a vehicle. Your rst step? Call 9-1-1. Residents should provide the dispatch operator with their location, the vehicle's licence plate information and the approximate age and condition of the child. The caller should remain on scene until police or emergency services arrive. If the vehicle is unlocked, open the doors and shield the windows with a blanket or safely remove the child from the vehicle. The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to: The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 5046 Mainway, Unit 2, Burlington ON L7L 5Z1 or via email to ablackburn@ oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. Don't do it Editorial "Connected to your Community" 5046 Mainway, Unit 2, Burlington ON L7L 5Z1 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Classi ed Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 Volume 54 | Number 65 The Oakville Beaver is a division of Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Vice President and Group Publisher of Metroland West Regional General Manager Advertising Director NEIL OLIVER KELLY MONTAGUE DANIEL BAIRD Managing Editor ANGELA BLACKBURN RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director Business Manager LORI ANN GZOVDANOVIC Director of Production MARK DILLS Letter to the editor With the hot summer weather, our local trees are struggling. As LEAF explains, the small amount of rain we do get runs off paved surfaces and into storm sewers, barely reaching the trees that desperately need it. This drought stress leaves trees vulnerable to pests and disease. You can help protect Oakville's tree canopy by checking soils and ensuring trees on your property are watered. The Town is responsible for watering Town trees on public streets, but the extreme heat conditions have stretched resources. Local BIAs and residents' groups and individuals could step in to help, volunteering to water Town trees. If you can, pitch in by watering Town trees near your home or local park. Newly planted trees should be watered two or three times per week. For the rst two years after planting, trees should be watered approximately MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager Director of Distribution CHARLENE HALL KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager Help trees survive hot sun of summer twice a week. Place a hose (without nozzle) at the base of your tree on a very slow trickle for approximately 15 minutes (or give three to four buckets). In the third year, once your tree has established a deeper and wider root system, change the watering frequency to one hour, once per week (to give periodic, deeper soaking). The best way to do this is to place a soaker hose (which slowly oozes water from the length of the hose) on the ground in a spiral out to the edge of the tree's canopy. Together, we can protect our trees and enjoy their many bene ts for years to come. Find out more about tree care on LEAF's website, or the Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation website. Visit www.oakvillegreen.org. Karen Brock, president Oakvillegreen Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Canadian Community Newspapers Association Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Pud by Steve Nease The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline.