Rutherford County, TN – The “dog days of summer” aren’t just a phrase—they’re a full-blown reality this week in Rutherford County, as the summer sun scorches the region and pushes local temperatures (and tempers) to the limit. As the heatwave ramps up, AAA is sounding the alarm for Middle Tennessee drivers to protect their passengers, their pets, and their rides from potentially deadly consequences.
Pets Aren’t Heat-Proof: Local veterinarians and emergency responders are urging residents to never leave pets in parked vehicles. Even if it’s just for “a minute,” that “quick run into the store” could turn deadly. With temperatures outside hovering in the 90s, your car’s interior can skyrocket past 120°F in under ten minutes—even with cracked windows. Animal Services reports an increase in emergency calls during heat spikes, mostly involving pets left in vehicles while owners run errands.
Children at Risk: Tragedy Is Preventable Data from NoHeatStroke.org shows that since 1998, more than 1,000 children nationwide have died from heatstroke in vehicles. That number includes at least a handful of incidents reported across Tennessee in recent years. AAA encourages Rutherford County drivers to keep a “Baby in the Back” tag in their cars—available for free at the AAA office in Murfreesboro, 1970 Old Fort Parkway—to remind parents to always check the back seat…