Should you break the glass if you see a pet or child left in a car?

P.E.I. is in for sunny weather and warmer temperatures this week and with that comes the seasonal reminder not to leave your pets or your kids in the car unattended.

In the summer months, the P.E.I. Humane Society says it receives three or four calls daily about a pet in a hot car.

RCMP Cpl. Scott Stevenson estimates police get a dozen or so calls every year from people concerned about an animal or a child in the car.

Should you break the window?

The simple answer is no unless a life is in immediate danger.

"The only time that it would be necessary to break the window would be to save life," said Stevenson.

Jennifer Harkness with the P.E.I. Humane Society agrees.

"We ask that people don't break windows," she said. "They really do have to be in danger at that point for it to escalate to there."

If the child has a flushed face and isn't responsive, or if a pet is listless, then break the glass. You should also call 911 so emergency responders can assess the situation.

"Medical first responders should be contacted immediately as well to attend and provide any care necessary," said Stevenson.

If a pet is involved, you should also call the P.E.I. Humane Society at 902-892-1190 or after hours at902-892-1191.

When a life isn't at risk

If life isn't at risk, call 911 and the Humane Society, take note of the license plate, and wait by the vehicle.

Stevenson said police can run the license plate, try to contact the registered owner, and can further assess the situation to ensure the child or animal stays safe.

What is too hot?

Young children shouldn't be left unattended at all, said Stevenson.

"You can think that you're just running into the store for a minute and there's any number of situations that can make things go a little longer than necessary and time has a habit of slipping by," he said.

When it comes to pets, direct sunlight can make a vehicle unsafe even if the outside temperature is relatively mild.

Harkness said any temperature over 10 C can make the interior of a car too hot.

"If it's 25 C outside, it could be 40 C inside your car ... Even if you're leaving the windows open, it's really not enough," said Harkness.

"If you have to park your car, then you take your pet with you ... If you can't take your pet with you, then leave them at home or leave them with someone that you trust."

'No hot pets' campaign

The P.E.I. Humane Society is participating in a national campaign, No Hot Pets, that launches next week aimed at preventing pets from being left in cars.

The campaign aims to educate pet owners about the dangers of hot cars.

Harkness said local businesses can also sign up to get awareness posters, and pet owners can take a pledge not to leave their animals in the car.

• MORE P.E.I. NEWS | How women entrepreneurs can access a small start-up grant
• MORE P.E.I. NEWS | Syrian refugees share journey to P.E.I. at heritage fair