Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Middlesex County, City of Perth Amboy and Safety Advocates to Gather July 23 to Highlight Dangers of Heatstroke in Hot Motor Vehicles

In Florida, a baby recently died after allegedly being left alone in a hot car while the rest of the family unloaded groceries. A Connecticut mother faces criminal charges after police allege that she left her baby alone in car twice in same day.

So far this year, there have been at least 10 heat-related deaths across the nation. As New Jersey experiences what are historically the hottest summer months, the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, City of Perth Amboy, Safe Kids Middlesex County and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) are taking time to educate the public about the dangers of leaving children and pets unattended in motor vehicles.

The special half-hour program will take place this Thursday, July 23 at 3:30 p.m. at Sadowski Parkway and Brighton Avenue in Perth Amboy (located across from the city’s new Community Center).

Scheduled to be in attendance are Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholder Public Health and Safety Chair H. James Polos; Perth Amboy Mayor Wilda Diaz; Perth Amboy Police Department Acting Deputy Chief Lawrence Cattano; and Diana Starace, Injury Prevention Coordinator for the Level I Trauma Center at RWJUH and Safe Kids Middlesex County. Together, in partnership with Oasis Chevrolet, they will share the message to “Look before you lock” with parents, caregivers and bystanders to help save lives.

“Middlesex County consistently works with our municipal and community partners to strengthen our efforts to keep our residents safe,” said Freeholder Director Ronald G. Rios. “This awareness program will help us achieve that goal.”

Education is the key element in any safety campaign, added Freeholder Public Health and Safety Chair H. James Polos. “There is more awareness out there following our initial rollout of this campaign last summer, but we’ve got to continue to share the message to prevent accidents so no family has to suffer through the results of such a preventable loss.”

During the event, officials will showcase a mobile sign that will be displayed alongside roadways throughout Middlesex County to remind and educate the public about this potential and preventable danger.

“I personally know someone who parked her car and saw a child sitting, alone, in the vehicle parked next to hers outside of a store on a recent 90-degree day. She entered the store and couldn’t find the parent(s) or guardian(s). Fortunately she was able to flag down a patrolman, who ultimately broke into the car to get the child out. There are no good reasons, including ‘I was just running into the store to grab something,’ to leave children or pets alone in a vehicle on a hot day,” says Diana Starace, injury prevention coordinator for RWJUH and Safe Kids Middlesex County.

Many people are shocked to learn how hot the inside of a car can actually get, Starace added. On an 80 degree day, the temperature inside of a car can rise 20 degrees in as little as 10 minutes and keep getting hotter with each passing minute, she explained.

The New Jersey Department of Transportation encourages bystanders to:

1) Always make sure the child is okay and responsive. If not, call 911 immediately.

2) If the child appears ok, you should attempt to locate the parents; or have the facility’s security or management page the car owner over the PA system.

3) If there is someone with you, one person should actively search for the parent while someone waits at the car.

4) If the child is not responsive and appears in great distress, attempt to get into the car to assist the child, even if that means breaking a window.

Heatstroke sets in when the body isn’t able to cool itself quickly enough. A child’s body heats up three to five times faster than adult’s, making them more susceptible to heatstroke. When a child’s internal temperature reaches 104 degrees, major organs begin to shut down, and when that temperature reaches 107 degrees, the child can die.

Individuals can reduce the number of deaths and near misses by remembering to ACT:

. A: Avoid heatstroke-related injury and death by never leaving your child alone in a car, not even for a minute. And make sure to keep your car locked when you’re not in it so kids don’t get in on their own.

. C: Create reminders by putting something in the back of your car next to your child such as a briefcase, a purse or a cell phone that is needed at your final destination. This is especially important if you’re not following your normal routine.

. T: Take action. If you see a child alone in a car, call 911. Emergency personnel want you to call. They are trained to respond to these situations. One call could save a life.

Safe Kids New Jersey Director Carol Ann Giardelli will be at the event to talk more about ACT.

For more information on preventing child heatstroke deaths, please visit www.safekids.org/heatstroke.