According to SafeKids.org, a child dies from heat stroke in a car every 10 days on average. Fatalities have been reported in nearly all 50 states, and 11 months out of the year. That’s because even on a 70-degree day, temperatures inside your vehicle can quickly rise to 110 degrees.
Animals, too, are very susceptible to heat stroke because they can only cool themselves by panting. Dogs can sustain brain damage or die from heat stroke in just 15 minutes.
Sadly, there are a few myths out there that may be contributing to the statistics.
Myth #1: “I’ll only be a minute.” You may think you can run into the store, find exactly what you need, avoid a line at checkout and be back in your car in 60 seconds but really, when has this ever happened in anyone’s lifetime? Odds are that there are many things that will delay your return. Is it worth placing your child and pet in danger?
Myth #2: “I’ll leave the windows cracked.” Leaving a window cracked makes approximately a 2-degree difference – so little that it doesn’t help at all. In ten minutes, the temperature still goes up 20 degrees, 34 degrees in a half-hour and 43 degrees in one hour. Add to this the fact that children are quicker to overheat – up to five times faster than an adult – because of their size and because they have not yet developed the ability to cool down through sweating.
Myth #3: “It’s only 70 degrees outside so it’s safe.” Children and pets have died from heat stroke in a car when the outside temperature is barely above 70 degrees. Depending on the breed of dog, existing medical conditions, age and weight, even temperatures in the 60s can be dangerous. One study conducted in San Francisco measured the temperature inside a parked car on a 72-degree day. Within 30 minutes, it was over 110 degrees.
Myth #4: “I’ll leave water in the car with my dog/child.” Water can prevent dehydration but it does very little to prevent heat stroke.
Myth #5: “I’ll leave the air conditioner running.” This idea can easily backfire. The truth is that the compressor on the air conditioner can fail or your dog could bump it and the air blowing in the car will quickly turn from cool to hot, which will speed up the rising temperature instead. Sadly, several dogs in K9 patrol cars have died this way recently. If it can happen to the police, it can happen to you.
A is for Avoid. Avoid heat-related incidents by never leaving a child or dog alone in a parked car at any time of year, even in your driveway.
C is for Check. Always check the car when you park to make sure everyone is out: Learn to “look before you lock.”
To help you remember, you can…
T is for Take action. Call 911 right away if you see a child left alone in a car. Also, California’s new law makes it legal to smash a window and save an animal trapped inside a hot car. The law includes these 5 steps:
Finally, a few more tips:
RMC wants you and your pets to be safe so please spread the word.
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Call our billing department at (951) 782-3050.
Riverside Medical Clinic’s Mission Grove location was opened to provide a more intimate setting to receive healthcare. A handful of physicians in a well-designed clinical setting provide our patients a relaxed atmosphere as they visit their physician. Patients who see their primary care physician at the Mission Grove office have direct access to all of the specialists at our other locations throughout the Inland Empire.
For hearing impaired services – TTY 711. To access language or LEP (Limited English Proficiency) services at no cost to you, call the number on your Insurance ID card or call (951) 683-6370.
We are located at:
19314 Jesse Lane Suite 100 Riverside, CA 92508 |
8:30am - 5:30pm | (951) 683-6370 |
Pediatrics |
Mon-Fri 8:30am - 5:30pm | (951) 782-3640 |
Laboratory |
Mon-Fri 8:30am - 1:00pm | (951) 776-4518 |
Adult Medicine |
Mon-Fri 8:30am - 5:30pm | (951) 321-6539 |
Urology |
Mon-Fri 8:30am - 5:30pm | (951) 776-4503 |
Riverside Medical Clinic’s Temescal Valley location has internal medicine practice practitioners, and other specialists
Our physicians see patients Monday-Friday. Our patients will be happy to know we have Urgent Care available as well.
Free ample parking with handicapped spots available for our patients and visitors.
For hearing impaired services – TTY 711. To access language or LEP (Limited English Proficiency) services at no cost to you, call the number on your Insurance ID card or call (951) 683-6370.
We are located at:
21634 Retreat Parkway Temescal Valley, CA 92883 |
8:30am - 5:30pm | (951) 683-6370 |
Urgent Care 21634 Retreat Parkway |
7 Days a Week 12:00pm - 8:00pm | (951) 493-6852 |
Imaging |
Mon - Fri 8:00am - 8:00pm Sat-Sun 12:00pm - 8:00pm | |
Laboratory |
Mon - Fri 7:00am-6:00pm & Sat 7:00am-12:00pm | (951) 493-6820 |
Radiology |
Mon - Fri 8:00am - 5:30pm | (951) 493-6909 |
Occupational Medicine |
Mon - Fri 8:00am - 5:00pm | (951) 493-6929 |
After Hours 5:00pm-9:00pm | ||
Sat & Sun 12:00pm-8:00pm | ||
Call Center |
Mon - Fri 7:30am - 7:30pm | (951) 683-6370 |
Riverside Medical Clinic’s Jurupa Valley has physicians available Monday–Friday to assist patients looking for physicians from Family Practice to Radiology.
With multiple locations throughout the Inland Empire it makes the transition to a specialist convenient, should the need arise. Our physicians see patients Monday–Friday.
Ample parking is available with plenty of handicapped spots for our patients and visitors.
For hearing impaired services – TTY 711. To access language or LEP (Limited English Proficiency) services at no cost to you, call the number on your Insurance ID card or (951) 683-6370.
We are located at:
6250 Clay St. Riverside, CA 92509 |
8:30am - 5:30pm | (951) 683-6370 |
Pediatrics |
Mon-Fri 8:30 am - 5:30 pm | (951) 360-5260 |
Laboratory |
Mon-Fri 8:30am - 5:30pm | (951) 360-5280 |
Radiology |
Mon-Fri 8:30am - 5:30pm | (951) 360-5280 |
For Aviation Physicals please call (951) 360-5215 for available dates and times. |
Riverside Medical Clinic’s Brockton location is located in the heart of Riverside. In addition to having some of the area’s leading pediatricians, obstetricians and internists, this campus has about any specialist one might need.
The Brockton campus also offers urgent care, the most advanced imaging capabilities in the Inland Empire and comprehensive lab services. A complete vision center is onsite as well. Additionally, this campus has our Surgery Center, health and fitness classrooms, administrative offices and our human resources department.
The Brockton Campus has ample parking with many handicapped spots available. There is also public transportation near the main entrance. This location has doctors and specialists available Monday-Friday with Urgent Care open 7 days a week.
For hearing impaired services – TTY 711. To access language or LEP (Limited English Proficiency) services at no cost to you, call the number on your Insurance ID card or call (951) 683-6370.
We are located at:
7117 Brockton Ave. Riverside, CA 92506 |
8:30am - 5:30pm | (951) 683-6370 |
Urgent Care 7117 Brockton Ave. Riverside, CA 92506 |
Mon-Fri 8:00am - 9:00pm Sat & Sun 9:00am - 9:00pm |
(951) 782-3789 |
Laboratory |
Mon-Fri 7:00am – 6:00pm Sat 7:00am – 12:00pm |
(951) 782-3637 |
Pharmacy |
Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm | (951) 782-3653 |
Occupational Medicine |
Mon–Fri 8:00am – 5:00pm | (951) 782-3707 |
Weekday After hours: Mon–Fri 5:00pm – 9:00pm | ||
Sat & Sun 9:00am-9:00pm | ||
Imaging |
Mon-Fri 8:00am – 4:30pm | (951) 782-3720 |
Urgent Care Imaging Hours: Mon-Fri 4:30pm – 9:00pm Sat-Sun 10:00am - 9:00pm |
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OB/GYN & Dermatology 7160 Brockton Ave. 2nd Floor Riverside, CA 92506 |
Mon-Fri 8:30am - 5:30pm | (951) 683-6370 |
Surgery Center |
(951) 782-3801 | |
Sports Clinic 7150 Brockton Ave. Suite 103 Riverside |
Mon-Fri 6:00am-8:00am | (951) 321-6338 |
Call Center |
Mon-Fri 7:30am - 5:30pm | (951) 683-6370 |
At our Eastvale clinic, we have primary care providers for adults and children who are supported by a caring staff. Additionally, we have lab and imaging services. And when you need a specialist, you are as close as any of our other locations throughout the Inland Empire.
For hearing impaired services – TTY 711. To access language or LEP (Limited English Proficiency) services at no cost to you, call the number on your Insurance ID card or call (951) 683-6370.
We are located at:
12742 Limonite Ave. Eastvale, CA 92880 |
8:30am - 5:30pm | (951) 683-6370 |
Adult Medicine |
Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm | |
Pediatrics |
Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm | |
Endocrinology |
Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm (Out of Office Every Other Friday) | |
Imaging |
Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm | |
Lab Services |
Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm | (951) 739-2727 |
Occupational Medicine |
Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:00pm | (951) 739-2746 |
After Hours: Temporarily Closed | ||
Sat & Sun: Temporarily Closed |
Riverside Medical Clinic’s Moreno Valley campus is in the Canyon Springs/Moreno Valley area. We have physicians specializing in Pediatrics to Internal Medicine.
Our Moreno Valley campus has advanced imaging and lab capabilities. Our physicians are available to see patients Monday-Friday, Urgent Care is open 7 days a week.
There is ample parking available with plenty of handicapped spots for patients and visitors.
For hearing impaired services – TTY 711. To access language or LEP (Limited English Proficiency) services at no cost to you, call the number on your Insurance ID card or call (951) 683-6370.
We are located at:
6405 Day St. Riverside, CA 92507 |
8:30am - 5:30pm | (951) 683-6370 |
Urgent Care |
Mon-Fri 8:00am - 9:00pm Sat & Sun 9:00am - 9:00pm |
(951) 697-5453 |
Laboratory |
Mon-Fri 7:00am-6:00pm | (951) 697-5667 |
Pharmacy |
Temporary Hours Mon-Fri 10:00am-3:00pm Sat 9:00am - 1:00pm | (951) 697-5657 |
Occupational Medicine |
Mon-Fri 8:00am-5:00pm | |
Weekday After Hours: 5:00pm–9:00pm | ||
Sat & Sun 9:00am–9:00pm | ||
Imaging |
Mon-Fri 8:00am - 5:00pm | |
Sat & Sun 10:00am - 9:00pm |