Free Sunshades to Help San Angeloans Beat the Extreme Heat

As San Angelo gets bombarded with weather over 100 degrees, the public is encouraged to refrain from leaving their pets or children in the car while running errands or the like. San Angelo reached its average of 24 days of temperatures at 100 degrees or more Wednesday. Joel Dunn, meteorologist with the national weather service, claimed that the city would be above average “by [today] for sure.”

In order to remind citizens of the danger of this practice, Clark’s Auto Parts and Wrecker Service is giving away free sunshades bearing the message “Extreme heat... Check the back seat.”

San Angelo LIVE! asked Wendy Smith, the co-owner of Clark’s Auto Parts and Wrecker Service, what inspired her to pass out these sunshades.

“Our business requires our guys to be out in the heat, whether it’s our towing service and our guys out there getting in these vehicles to load them and unload them, or salvage yard guys out there pulling parts on the vehicles,” Smith said. “These guys know what it’s like to be out there.”

Smith originally envisioned these sunshades as promotional merchandise for the business. She noted that when stories about dogs or kids left in cars appeared on the news, she asked her supplier to put the message on the inside of the sunshades.

“I came up with [putting the message] across the inside, so as you’re putting the shade in the actual windshield, it can’t help but be in your face,” Smith said. “If it helps one person, it was well worth it.”

This is the first year that Clark’s Auto has provided these free sunshades. This year, Smith will be giving away 250 shades while supplies last. Furthermore, she said that she would begin ordering 500 every year next year.

“We’re just trying to put the message out there to remind parents, grandparents and guardians,” Smith said. “We’re so busy with cell phones and our lives. I honestly don’t think people realize that it only takes minutes for that car to be up to 130 degrees on the inside. Even if the windows are cracked, it’s not enough. That heat just takes the breath out of you.”

According to Dunn, the area is going to have high temperatures at or slightly above 100 degrees for the next 7 days (except for a high of 99 on Wednesday). He stated that there is “no release in sight” from the hot weather at this time.

“I’m afraid that we don’t really have any chances of rain in our current forecast,” Dunn said. “We’re hopeful for some in August; August does tend to have more rainfall than July, so we are hopeful for some. At this point in time, for the next seven days, it’s hot and dry.”

Dunn advised the public to drink as much water as possible and to avoid caffeine and alcohol to remain hydrated if citizens must go outside. He also encourages readers to wear sunscreen, stay in the shade, and take frequent breaks if they have to work outside. Furthermore, Dunn said to be aware of the warning signs of heat fatigue, such as feelings of fatigue or suddenly ceasing to sweat.

“We’ve got plenty more of August left, and September typically has a few [days over 100 degrees], so we’re not out of the woods as far as the heat,” Dunn said.

For more tips about remaining safe from the heat, check out this press release from DPS.