To demonstrate how quickly conditions can change, KFOX14\u2019s Emily Schmalz sat inside a parked car with the windows up, no water and the air conditioning turned off for 30 minutes.<\/p>\n
At the start of the test, Schmalz said, \u201cWe\u2019re at zero seconds right now. I’m going to try to go to 20 minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n
About 10 minutes into the test, Schmalz said, \u201cTen minutes and 30 seconds right now. I do have a little bit of sweat, but it’s really, it’s not terrible right now. Obviously for a child or a pet, this affects them way more.\u201d<\/p>\n
Garcia emphasized that there is no safe window of time to leave a child or pet in a vehicle during the summer.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the El Paso summer heat there is no right amount of time that you can leave or should leave a child or a pet inside of a vehicle,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He urged people who see a child or pet alone in a hot vehicle to call for help immediately.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon’t assume that somebody has already called 911,\u201d Garcia said. <\/p>\n
If you see a pet or a child inside of a hot vehicle especially with the vehicle turned off make sure that you call 911, with these types of calls minutes and even seconds matter.<\/p>\n
As the test continued, Schmalz said at 15 minutes, \u201cAt the 15 minute mark, again my only symptom right now, is sweating. You can see it beading and dripping down my face.\u201d <\/p>\n
At 18 minutes, she said, \u201cAt the 18 minute mark right now, it is getting fairly hot. I am sweating a lot. It is like being in a sauna,\u201d adding she was \u201cstarting to feel my heart rate is raising a bit.\u201d<\/p>\n
After 30 minutes, Schmalz said her heart rate had increased and warned that the danger escalates for vulnerable people. <\/p>\n
\u201cMy heart rate did go up slightly, but animals, children, anyone with health complications, that’s when the issue gets real,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
Even for a healthy person sitting in that car for an hour, you are likely to get sick.<\/p>\n
She said she felt symptoms after leaving the vehicle. \u201cI’m feeling it after the fact, I’m definitely feeling lightheaded,\u201d Schmalz said. <\/p>\n
She also shared her readings: \u201cSo my heart rate before it was around 100 ish. We’re looking 121 right now. My oxygen saturation was at 97%. It’s 95 right now. And then my blood pressure is 113 over 73.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fire officials told Schmalz the textbook blood sugar levels are 120 over 80. <\/p>\n
RECOMMENDED: <\/a>El Paso, Las Cruces open cooling centers citywide as summer heat builds across the region<\/a><\/p>\n Garcia said extreme heat inside a vehicle can quickly lead to medical emergencies.<\/p>\n \u201cSo the body could potentially endure severe dehydration, heat exhaustion, which could potentially put the body into organ failure or could potentially lead to death in severe cases,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n National Weather Service signs of heat exhaustion versus heat stroke. (CREDIT: NWS)<\/p>\n The National Weather Service says signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating; weakness or tiredness; cool, pale, clammy skin; a fast, weak pulse; muscle cramps; dizziness; nausea or vomiting; headache; and fainting.<\/p>\n For heat exhaustion first aid, the National Weather Service recommends moving the person to a cooler environment, preferably a well-air-conditioned room. Loosen clothing. Apply cool, wet cloths or have the person sit in a cool bath. Offer sips of water.<\/p>\n Heat stroke is more severe. <\/p>\n The National Weather Service lists symptoms as a throbbing headache; confusion; slurred speech; nausea; dizziness; a body temperature above 103 degrees; hot, red, dry or damp skin; a rapid and strong pulse; fainting; and loss of consciousness.<\/p>\n For heat stroke first aid, the National Weather Service says to call 911 or get the victim to a hospital immediately. <\/p>\n Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency. Delay can be fatal.<\/p>\n The agency recommends moving the victim to a cooler, preferably air-conditioned, environment and reducing body temperature with cool cloths or a bath. <\/p>\n It says to use a fan if heat index temperatures are below the high 90s, noting that \u201ca fan can make you hotter at higher temperatures.\u201d <\/p>\n The National Weather Service also warns: Do not give fluids.<\/p>\n For those looking to escape the heat, cooling centers are available across El Paso and Las Cruces. A full list of locations and hours here<\/a>. <\/p>\n![\"National](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/087d3d47-4329-4511-8dc1-bc3f3f7f7076-heatsymptoms2022final.png\"\/)
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