PHOENIX - The Don’t Leave Me Behind campaign starts May 8 and runs through August 31. It aims at preventing deaths due to kids and pets left in hot cars.
“Two years ago in the summer of 2016 we had no, none, zero child deaths due to vehicular heat stroke here in Maricopa County," said Bill Montgomery, Maricopa County Attorney.
In 2017, two infants passed away in hot cars in Maricopa County.
“So this year the emphasis is on getting back to zero, we want zero deaths," said Montgomery.
The danger sneaks up quickly.
“A vehicle sitting in the sun can heat up 20 degrees every 10 minutes. A vehicle sitting out on an 80-degree day can reach 110 degrees in less than 15 minutes. At about 104 degrees, a child starts to show symptoms of heat stroke and or organs start to fail," said Todd Nickoles, manager of trauma and injury prevention at Phoenix Children's Hospital.
If you see a child in distress, get them out of the heat as soon as possible.
“Spray and mist them with water to let them cool off. Do not put them in an ice bath or anything like that.You want to slowly reduce their temperature," said Nickoles.
Same applies for pets locked in hot cars. Heat stroke begins with a body temperature over 103 degrees.
“Symptoms include heavy panting, almost difficulty breathing because they are panting so fast and heavy. Their gums will be very red, they could be vomiting, they can have diarrhea, they can have seizures and die," said Dr. Steven R. Hansen, CEO of the Arizona Humane Society.
You also want to reduce pet's body temperatures slowly.
“Put damp rags on their paws, put a fan on them and take them to a veterinary hospital, it’s important to move quickly," said Hansen.
Under Arizona Law, a person is allowed to remove a child or pet from a vehicle if you follow ALL FIVE of these steps.
“Call 911, make sure there is imminent danger of death or injury, ensure that the vehicle is locked and there’s no other way to get a child or pet out, use no more force than necessary and remain at the scene until authorities arrive," said Montgomery.
From 1998 to April of this year, 744 children have died nationwide as a result of vehicular heatstroke.
For more information on the campaign, visit www.safekidsaz.org/vehicular-heatstroke/.