CONTACT: Miriam Dobson, RN, Program Supervisor Maternal Child Health Division of Community Health Services
301-600-3586
TTY: Use Maryland Relay
MDobson@FrederickCountyMD.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 28, 2014
NEVER LEAVE A CHILD UNATTENDED IN A VEHICLE
Free Window Decal Reminders Available
FREDERICK, MD -- Heatstroke is the number one killer of children, outside of car crashes. That’s why the Frederick County Health Department’s Maternal Child Health program has joined with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to attempt to reduce these deaths by reminding parents and caregivers about the dangers of heatstroke and leaving children in hot cars.
o Last year 44 children lost their lives nationwide. Five of those deaths were in Maryland and Virginia.
o Children’s body temperatures can rise up to five times faster than that of an adult.
o On an 80-degree day, a car can reach deadly levels in just 10 minutes.
Maternal Child Health urges all parents and caregivers to do these four things:
1) NEVER leave a child in a vehicle unattended;
2) Make it a habit to check twice in the backseat EVERY time you exit the car;
3) ALWAYS lock the car and put the keys out of reach.
4) And, if you ever see a child left alone in a hot vehicle, call 911 right away.
The Maternal Child Health program is giving away free window decal reminders from the Auto Alliance in English and Spanish as a reminder to check twice before exiting a vehicle so that a child is never left alone and exposed to deadly heat.
Stop by the Health Department located at 350 Montevue Lane, Frederick, MD;
use Entrance B and go to Community Health Services, Monday through Friday,
8am – 5pm to get a free car window decal. Up to 2 per person while supplies last.
For more information please visit: www.frederickcountymd.gov/childsafety
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