IN THE SUN: Auto Central general managerJames Sheppard said car temperature gauges that show soaring temperatures inside cars were a timely reminder of the dangers of leaving children or pets in vehicles. Photo: STEVE GOSCH 0107sgcar1
Petrie’s Mitre 10 employee Helen Armfield has been kept busy selling fans and portable air conditioners during the rush to keep cool during the heatwave. Photo: STEVE GOSCH 0107sgmitre10
IT is hot and residents are feeling the heat.
As Orange sweltered through a top of 36 degrees on Sunday, fans and portable air conditioners were at a premium.
And with no sign of demand easing, some stores are waiting on new supplies to replenish shelves.
Several Orange residents have turned to social media to post snapshots of their vehicle temperature guages, indicating soaring temperatures well into the 40s in their vehicles.
Auto Central general manager James Sheppard says modern vehicles fitted with temperature gauges can offer up a surprise as to the temperature inside vehicles left standing in the sun.
“Some of these temperatures that people are reporting in their vehicles are often an indication of where the vehicle has been parked,” he said.
“If it is a darker vehicle, parked in the sun, particularly in an area where there is cement or asphalt, the temperature will be much higher than the temperatures outside.
“This is a timely reminder why you shouldn’t leave children or pets in vehicles when it is hot.”
Kristy Eyles was one of several Orange residents who posted their car temperatures on social media.
She snapped a photo of her car’s dashboard temperature gauge reading 48 degrees while parked in the driveway of her home at the hottest time of day.
“But later in the day when we visited my husband Chris’ parents we parked in the shade and it still recorded 38 degrees at 6pm,” Mrs Eyles said.
Petrie’s Mitre 10 general manager Nathan Valentic said staff had been kept busy as residents stocked up on fans and portable air conditioners to keep cool during the heatwave.
“The bigger fans of course have been really popular and so too have the portable room conditioners,” he said.
Today the temperature is expected to peak at 35 degrees, however, residents can expect lower toemperatures tomorrow and Thursday, with expected maximums of 29 and 27 respectively.
On Friday the gauge will climb again with an expected top of 34 degrees followed by 36 degrees on Saturday.
However, Sunday will be pleasant with an expected top of 26.
janice.harris@fairfaxmedia.com.au