The Children’s Trust Fund’s “Not Even For A Minute” Campaign encourages parents and caregivers to NEVER leave children unattended in or around automobiles. Left alone in a vehicle for a short time, a child is in danger of dehydration, overheating, hypothermia, injury, abduction and even death.
This is a car accident that can be prevented!
Temperatures in cars soar quickly. Even with a window cracked, the temperature inside a car can reach very high and dangerous temperatures within minutes. In these extreme conditions, children can die or suffer a permanent disability in a matter of minutes.
- NEVER leave children unattended in or around an automobile, not even with the windows down. This applies to pets as well.
- Always put your keys in a safe and secure place.
- Keep vehicles lockes at all times, even at home, and remind your friends and neighbors to do the same. Unlocked cars pose a risk to children who are naturally curious and often fearless.
- Teach your children the dangers of a car and let them know it is not a toy or playground.
- Make your child as visible as possible. Place rear-facing car seats in the middle of the back seat.
- Establish a routine of checking the back seat every time you exit the car to ensure no one is left behind. Don’t overlook sleeping infants.
- Place your child’s diaper bag or a small toy in the front seat to serve as a constant, visible reminder of you child’s presence in the car.
- Place your purse, briefcse or other personal item in the back wth the child to give you an additional reason to check the back seat.
- Ask your childcare provider to call you if your child does not show up for childcare as scheduled.
- Try to plan ahead when you have errands. Run errands when your spouse, trusted neighbor or friend can watch your child.
- Remember to use drive-through convenience provide by banks, dry cleaners, phamacies, restaurants and other businesses.
- Use your debit or credit card at the gas pump.
- When a child is missing, check vehicles and trunks immediately.
- If you see an unnattended child in a car, call 911 immediately.
To help spread this critical safety message, CTF offers several ‘Not Even For A Minute’ public education materials. These are available at no cost in hard copy and download (pdf) and include a poster and rack card (pdf) with helpful tips and reminders. The NEFAM Campaign also includes television and radio public service announcments (PSAs).
For additional information, please visit: Harrison’s Hope, KIDSANDCARS, and Safe Kids USA
