| The Kick-off event will be held at First Friday downtown Lakeland, October 4, 2019 |
| “Every year too many kids die of heatstroke because they were left inside a car—often by accident. Our message is simple: Check your back seat: ‘stop, look, and listen.’ Let’s keep our kids safe!” – Grady Judd, Sheriff A public/private partnership between the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Lakeland Police Department, Headley Insurance Agency, Nationwide Insurance, and Safe Kids Florida Suncoast has formed to bring awareness to the dangers of children being left in hot cars. A record number of 53 children died after being left in a hot vehicle in 2018 (Injury Facts, National Safety Council) in the United States. This number, along with poignant media stories of children left in a car by parents or caregivers, encouraged local business owner Scott Headley to start a program to remind parents and caregivers to get in the habit of checking their back seats for children. On October 4, 2019, at “First Friday” in downtown Lakeland, from 6: 00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. the coalition partners will have displays set up; provide free giveaways, including free child check bracelets; and have activities for children, including free cookie decorating. There will also be a live demonstration to show how hot it can get inside of a car in short time periods—the demonstration will take place at 6:45 p.m. Representatives from Safe Kids Florida Suncoast will be available to discuss the dangers of heatstroke when children are left in hot cars. Representatives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Lakeland Police Department will be on hand to interact with children and adults. The displays will be on the south end of Munn Park. Free “Child Check Bracelets” will be given to parents at the First Friday event. The quality bracelets—neon green with red lettering “STOP, LOOK & LISTEN CHILD CHECK”—are designed to be a reminder for parents, childcare workers, and others to check their vehicle’s back seat. The bracelet should be placed in the back seat or in a car seat where a child is usually secured when not in use. When the child is buckled in or secured in a child seat, the bracelet should be placed on the parent’s or caregiver’s wrist as a reminder that a child is in the back seat. When the child is removed from the back seat or child seat, the bracelet should be placed back in the seat. Those who don’t have children can wear the bracelet to promote awareness about heatstroke deaths of children in vehicles. We encourage everyone to stop by during their visit to First Friday on October 4 in downtown Lakeland between 6 and 9 pm. Also at First Friday will be a “cookie carnival” with nearly 20 cookie vendors, a classic car show, and live music. Click here for more information. Click here for more information Injury facts website NHTSA website News links: “More than 38 kids die in hot cars every year…” CNN, July 30, 2019;“Why do parents forget their children in parked, hot cars?” Fox News, 08-16-2019; “Anyone Could Forget Kids in Hot Cars” – Consumer Reports; July 31, 2019; |
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