Safety Tips for Hot Weather Travel
At BMW of Catonsville, we know that few things beat hitting the road on a sunny day. That baking sunshine may feel good for a while, but it's also important to realize that, even from inside a car, the sun can pose a danger to you, your loved ones, and your vehicle. Here are a few things to remember as you travel this summer.
Wear sunglasses
Your eyes are particularly vulnerable to the sun. According to the Mayo Clinic, UV radiation from the sun can damage your eyelids, the cornea, the lens, and other parts of the eye. Exposure to the sun can also increase the risk of cataracts. Ensure that you and your passengers always wear sunglasses to help mitigate these risks. Extra bonus: You'll also look pretty cool.
Don't leave kids or pets in the vehicle
Even with the windows open a little, the interior of a vehicle can grow as hot as 125° F far more quickly than you can imagine—in just a few minutes in some cases. To ensure the safety of your children and pets, never ever leave them inside a hot vehicle, even for a moment. A child's body (and those of our furry friends) can overheat many times more quickly than an adult's, so get in the habit of "Look Before You Lock"—double-check you haven't left a pet or child in the car before you lock your vehicle's doors.
Keep your car running in tip-top shape
Hot weather can put a lot of strain on your vehicle. Luckily, there are a number of things you can do to keep things running smoothly, including checking your car's air conditioning system, making sure that your tires are properly inflated—changing temperatures can affect your tires' air pressure—and ensuring that your fluid levels are topped off. Of course, the best way to confirm that your car's ready for warmer weather is to schedule an appointment with your friendly BMW of Catonsville service team.
Protect your vehicle's interior/exterior
As much as you may enjoy basking in the sun, it's not great for your vehicle's paint or interior. Here's how we recommend you mitigate this issue. First, park in the shade whenever possible. Since direct sunlight's not your friend, avoid it! Secondly, invest in a sunshade. Placed in the windshield of a vehicle while it's parked, you can greatly reduce the amount of sun getting inside. Other factors to consider include purchasing seat covers, special conditioners if you have leather seats, and washing/waxing your vehicle regularly to help protect it.
Be prepared for a breakdown (just in case)
Although it may not be likely (especially if you take good care of your vehicle), a breakdown could occur at any point during the year, and it's no fun standing around in hot weather. As we say at BMW of Catonsville, "Better safe than sorry." So prepare for the worst this summer with a cooler of chilled water to stay hydrated, as well as some sunscreen, and ensure your phone is charged up should you need to call for assistance.
With these tips in mind, you should be ready for a safe and happy summer. Enjoy your trips, wherever you roam, and if there's anything we can do to make your summer more exciting, don't hesitate to call, contact us online, or visit us in person at 6700 Baltimore National Pike, Catonsville, MD 21228 today.