Never leave a child unattended in a car, even for a minute. That is the message that the state Department of Children and Families (DCF) wants to get across through the “Not Even for a Minute” summer campaign that they officially launched at the Miller Buick Pontiac GMC dealership in Woodbridge on July 14.
PHOTO COURTESTY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES Kimberly Ricketts, commissioner of the Department of Children and Families, announces the department’s “Not Even for a Minute” summer campaign, which they officially launched at the Miller Buick Pontiac GMC dealership in Woodbridge on July 14. Approximately 40 children die each year in the United States and hundreds more are injured after being left unattended in a vehicle, according to a study published by Pediatrics, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Kimberly Ricketts, commissioner of DCF, mentioned the tragic deaths of children being left in a motor vehicle last summer in New Jersey and in Pennsylvania.
“We are reminding parents that an unspeakable tragedy can happen in a matter of minutes,” she said. “No matter how busy caregivers get, they must never leave a child in a vehicle without a parent or caregiver.”
Ricketts said a child left alone in a vehicle, even for a short time, is in danger of abduction, injury, dehydration and even death.
As a test, representatives of the state put a thermometer inside a red GMC vehicle at the start of the press conference, and about 10 minutes later, they announced the reading.
“Even though it is 77 degrees and breezy outside, the inside of a motor vehicle can get extremely hot,” said Ricketts.
The thermometer had a reading at the beginning of the press conference of 75 degrees, and within 10 to 15 minutes, the temperature in the interior of the GMC was 86.4 degrees.
“It went up 10 degrees in a matter of 10 minutes, so people who think, ‘Oh I’m just going to be 10 minutes,’ this is how hot the interior of the car can get in the same amount of time,” said Ricketts.
The same study in Pediatrics noted that the temperature in a car can rise 19 degrees in just 10 minutes.
The commissioner along with Mayor John E. McCormac, Pam Fischer, director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety, Shari Sandidge, general manager of the Miller Buick Pontiac GMC dealership, and others gathered in front of the dealership to announce the campaign.
DCF has partnered with the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers (NJCAR) to help spread this lifesaving message to families all across the state. Through this partnership, over 90 dealerships have stepped up to participate in this campaign and offered to distribute posters, strip cards, and newly developed car window clings in both English and Spanish. A list of participating dealerships can be found at www.njcar.org.
The state department also partnered with the Department of Law and Public Safety’s (LPS) Division of Highway Traffic Safety, which has agreed to distribute materials at various child car-seat safety checkpoints throughout the summer.
Other motor vehicle tips that Ricketts mentioned include always locking one’s car and securing the keys so that a child can’t get to them; warning children about playing in and around cars; installing a trunk release mechanism so that kids can’t get trapped inside the trunk; and getting children out of the car first and then worrying about unloading the groceries and other items from the car.
Sandidge said it’s important nowadays since the motor vehicle has become an extension of our homes and lives.
Safety campaign materials will be distributed to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commissions, AAA Clubs of New Jersey, state Family Success Centers, licensed child care centers, parent-teacher organizations, the New Jersey League of Municipalities, and NJ 211.
In addition to these efforts, DCF is seeking community support to spread this important message. Community organizations and groups such as churches, neighborhood associations, local businesses, municipalities, and school groups are urged to help the state raise awareness and prevent tragedies this summer.
For more information, contact DCF’s Office of Communications at 609-292-0422 or visit the Web site www.nj.gov/dcf/safety/campaigns/car.html.