FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 14, 2009

CONTACT: Kate Bernyk Press Office: 609-633-8507

DCF Partners with Car Dealerships to Promote “Not Even For a Minute” Campaign Focused on Vehicle Safety

 New Jersey reminds parents, caregivers to never leave a child unattended in a car

WOODBRIDGE, N.J. – Department of Children and Families (DCF) Commissioner Kimberly Ricketts announced today, at the Miller Buick Pontiac GMC dealership in Woodbridge, this summer’s launch of New Jersey’s “Not Even for a Minute” public awareness campaign. This important campaign urges parents and caregivers to never leave children unattended in a vehicle, where temperatures can quickly rise to dangerous levels, especially in warmer summer months.

“We hope this campaign and the department’s efforts will help avoid vehicle-related tragedies from happening in New Jersey,” Governor Jon S. Corzine said. “I urge all New Jerseyans to help us spread this message that can save a child’s life this summer.”

“We are reminding parents that an unspeakable tragedy can happen in a manner of minutes,” DCF Commissioner Ricketts said. “No matter how busy caregivers get, they must never leave a child in a vehicle without a parent or caregiver.”

A child left alone in a vehicle, even for a short time, is in danger of abduction, injury, dehydration and even death. Approximately 40 children die each year in the United States, and hundreds more are injured after being left unattended in a vehicle, according to a study published by Pediatrics, the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. One child died in New Jersey after being left in a vehicle last summer.

That same study noted that the temperature in a car can rise upwards of 19 degrees in just 10 minutes. The temperature inside a car can get dangerously hot, even in moderate weather with the windows slightly down. 

DCF has partnered with the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers (NJCAR) to help spread this lifesaving message to families all across the State. Through this partnership, over 90 dealerships have stepped up to participate in this campaign and offered to distribute posters, strip cards, and newly developed car window clings in both English and Spanish.  A list of participating dealerships can be found here: http://www.njcar.org/.

“New car and truck retailers throughout New Jersey have always been among the first to lend their support when a community needs to promote an important message and none is more important than the safety of our children,” James B. Appleton, President of NJ CAR, said. “Dealers want consumers and their families to enjoy their vehicles and there is no better way than to promote car safety, from proper car-seat installation and wearing seatbelts to the dangers of intense temperatures that an enclosed vehicle can reach during the summer months. NJ CAR is very proud of the dealers participating in this very important program.”

“Not Even For a Minute” outlines tips for parents to help keep kids safe around cars, including:

• Never leave a child unattended in a car. Not even for a minute.
• Always lock your car and secure the keys so that your kids can’t get to them.
• Warn your children about playing in and around cars.
• Install a trunk release mechanism so that kids can’t get trapped inside the trunk.
• Get your kids out of the car first, and then worry about unloading the groceries and items out of the car.

Another key partner in this effort is the Department of Law and Public Safety’s (LPS) Division of Highway Traffic Safety, who have agreed to distribute materials at various child car seat safety checkpoints throughout the summer.

“As you’re traveling this summer, make sure your child is properly restrained in a federally-approved car safety seat, booster seat or seat belt and, when you reach your destination, immediately remove your child from the vehicle,” said Division of Highway Traffic Safety Director Pam Fischer.  “When re-entering the vehicle, make sure the car or booster seat isn’t hot to the touch.  Never put a child into a seat that has been sitting in a hot car for any period of time without allowing it to properly cool down.”

DCF has also distributed safety campaign materials to the new Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC), AAA Clubs of New Jersey, state’s Family Success Centers, licensed child care centers, parent-teacher organizations, the New Jersey League of Municipalities and NJ 2-1-1.

In addition to these efforts underway, DCF is seeking community support to spread this important message. Community organizations and groups – such as churches, neighborhood associations, local businesses, municipalities, and school groups – are urged to help the state raise awareness and prevent tragedies this summer.

If you or your organization is interested in helping DCF spread the message of car safety this summer, please contact the Office of Communications at 609-292-0422 and visit our Web site at: http://www.nj.gov/dcf/safety/campaigns/car.html.

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