Sadowski Pkwy, Perth Amboy – 7/23/15 *Photos by Angel Robledo • See story below • Click on photos to enlarge.

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Middlesex County, City of Perth Amboy and 

Safety Advocates Highlight Dangers of Heatstroke in Hot Motor Vehicles

News Release 7/27/15

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

A program to remind the public to “Look before you lock” and to educate about the dangers of heatstroke took place on Thursday in front of the Community Center in Perth Amboy. During the event, officials showcased a mobile sign that will be displayed first in Perth Amboy and subsequently alongside roadways throughout Middlesex County to remind and educate the public about this potential and preventable danger.

“We are a young city, made up of more than 51,000 residents and many growing families. Educating our residents on safety is a high priority. Fortunately, such incidents have never been reported in Perth Amboy, and we want to keep it that way,” said Mayor Wilda Diaz. “With the advocates we have partnered with today, we bring education and awareness not just in New Jersey, but nationwide.”

Joining Diaz were Diana Starace, Injury Prevention Coordinator for the Level I Trauma Center at RWJUH and Safe Kids Middlesex County; Middlesex County Freeholder Director Ronald G. Rios; Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders Public Health and Safety Chair H. James Polos; Safe Kids New Jersey Director Carol Ann Giardelli; and members of the Perth Amboy Police Department. Oasis Chevrolet provided a sports utility vehicle used to demonstrate how hot the interior of a motor vehicle can get in just 15 to 20 minutes.

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.”

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, said Starace.

“Many people are shocked to learn how hot the inside of a car can actually get in just a few minutes,” Starace added. On this particular beautiful summer day, the outside temperature measured 85 degrees, while the inside temperature of the vehicle was a cooler 81 degrees. Nearly 20 min. later, the temperature inside the vehicle – with windows closed – had reached 92 degrees and would keep getting hotter, she explained.

Heatstroke can set 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 children 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.

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.

Giardelli encouraged individuals to 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.

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