FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Whitman Police and Fire Departments Remind Families and Caregivers about the Dangers of Leaving Children and Pets in Hot Cars

37 Children Die Annually Across the Nation

WHITMAN — Police Chief Scott D. Benton and Fire Chief Timothy J. Grenno along with the Whitman Police and Fire Departments are teaming up to remind families and caregivers of children to never leave a child, pet, or anyone else in a hot car.

According to the non-profit Kidsandcars.org, an average of 37 children die of heat stroke every year after being left alone in hot cars across the U.S. These are completely preventable tragedies. The Whitman Police and Fire Departments respond to incidents every year in which children or pets are accidentally left in a car or when a passerby calls police after seeing a child or pet in a vehicle.

“Young children and babies are not only unable to get themselves out of a vehicle, but their bodies are more affected by the heat than those of adults,” Chief Grenno said. “In a matter of minutes on a hot day, a vehicle can heat up to deadly tempeartures over 120 degrees.”

Officials offer the following facts about children and hot cars:

• Children suffer from the effects of heat faster than adults
• Nearly 90 percent of children killed in hot cars are under age 3
• Cracking windows open does not make a difference

The outside temperature does not always matter. According to org, children have died in cars with outside temperatures as low as 60 degrees.

“While most injuries and deaths occur when a parent or caregiver forgets a child in a car, children also get into cars on their own, and some parents are still not aware of the dangers and risks,” Chief Benton said. “The health and safety of children is one of our most important concerns. Not only is it dangerous to leave a child in a hot car, it is also a crime.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers the following tips:

• Always check the back seats of your vehicle before your lock it and walk away.
• Keep a stuffed animal or other memento in your child’s car seat when it’s empty, and move it to the front seat as a visual reminder when your child is in the back seat.
• If someone else is driving your child, or your daily routine has been altered, always check to make sure your child has arrived safely.

If you see a child left in a car, take action immediately. Do not wait for the driver to return or assume that they will be back soon. If the child appears to be in distress, get them out of the car immediately and dial 911.

Pets should also not be left alone in hot cars. According to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, pets suffer needlessly when left in hot cars, even on moderately warm days. Such actions can result not only in harm to your pet but also fines and possible prison time for pet owners who leave their pets in a hot vehicle.

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