City of Phoenix Fire and Police Departments, Phoenix Ford Dealers and QuikTrip (QT) Partner to Raise Awareness of the Dangers of Hot Cars

(PHOENIX – June 5, 2019) Arizona’s summer heat can be extremely dangerous.  Temperatures inside a vehicle can reach 50 degrees higher than the outside temperature.  Cracking a window will not provide much relief to children and pets left inside the vehicle.

Recognizing this, City of Phoenix Fire Department, City of Phoenix Police Department, the Phoenix Ford Dealers and QuikTrip (QT) have partnered to raise awareness of the dangers of hot cars.

The Phoenix Ford Dealers are producing an informative window cling, in both English and Spanish, that will be affixed to the store windows at all QuikTrip locations statewide as well as all Valley Ford dealerships.

According to the National Safety Council, since 1998, nearly every state across the country has experienced at least one child death associated with being left in a vehicle.

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, City Councilwoman Laura Pastor, John Nissen from Phoenix Ford Dealers, Phoenix Fire Chief Kara Kalkbrenner, Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams as well as a medical doctor and a representative from the Arizona Humane Society participated in a demonstration on June 5 that showed how quickly the temperature in a vehicle in Arizona’s summer heat can rise to dangerous levels.

According to Mayor Gallego, it is why the public safety departments from the City of Phoenix are joining forces to remind the community about the dangers of leaving kids and pets in hot cars.

“Sadly, the Valley already saw one death this year after an 18-month-girl was left in a hot car.  One child lost is one too many. We must dedicate ourselves to educating as many people as possible about these preventable tragedies.”

Just last year, 52 children across the country died from heatstroke after being left in a vehicle.  This year already, nine deaths have been reported nationwide.

“The National Safety Council advises parents and caregivers to stick to a routine and avoid distractions to reduce the risk of forgetting a child in the car,” said Councilwoman Pastor.  “They offer a variety of suggestions as a reminder to check the vehicle one final time.”

These recommendations include:

• Placing a purse, briefcase or your left shoe in the back seat to remind you to take one last look before walking away from your vehicle.
• Keeping car doors locked so that children cannot gain access.
• Teach children that cars are not play areas.

Heat is much more dangerous to children than to adults.  When left in a hot vehicle, a young child’s core body temperature can increase three to five times faster than that of an adult, causing permanent injury or death.

Safety always has been one of the highest priorities at Ford Motor Company.

“Whether in the design of the company’s vehicles or as an aspect of our customer safety, it is our responsibility and something we take quite seriously,” said Nissen. “We view automotive safety holistically; it encompasses all aspects of our business, and that is why we are happy to join with the Phoenix Fire and Police Departments to remind everyone about the dangers of leaving our kids and our pets in our vehicles.”

Phoenix Fire and Police will provide additional window clings to other retail locations upon request, contact 602-370-5718 for more information.