In a concerted effort with numerous community partners, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office is taking the lead in Hamilton County and unveiling an initiative focused on eliminating unnecessary child and pet deaths by vehicular heat stroke. The kickoff event will take place at 1 p.m. on Tuesday at the Hixson Walmart located on Highway 153.
Numerous local, state, and federal agencies throughout the United States have incorporated various “Look Before You Lock” or “Where’s Baby” Initiatives focused on eliminating child and pet deaths due to vehicular heatstroke.
Vehicular Heat Stroke occurs when children or pets are left in a car where the outside temperature and direct sunlight heats up the inside of the vehicle to a temperature sufficiently enough to effectively cause death in a child or pet.
Officials said, "Statistically, child deaths due to vehicluar heat stroke are at an all time low since 1998. However, any death attributed to vehicluar heat stroke is one hundred percent preventable and completely unnecessary and unacceptable. Just this past Sunday, a three year old child died of vehicular heat stroke after being left in his parent’s car while they attended church.
"The American Veterinary Medical Association reports that each year, hundreds of pets die due to being left in hot cars, primarily in the summer and/or warmer months. Once again, every one of these deaths is one hundred percent avoidable.
"Parents and caregivers are subjected to many distractions on a daily basis such as cell phones, text messaging, busy schedules, and in-car gadgets and the HCSO is greatly concerned that local drivers are becoming more and more distracted. People often think that only 'bad parents' leave their children unattended in hot cars, but the truth is, it can happen to any parent due to a momentary lack of judgement or a moment of irresponsible, distracted behavior. No child or pet should ever have to die in a hot car due to a parent or caregiver being distracted.
"Therefore, in order to help raise awareness, the HCSO has parternered with Hamilton County EMS, Walmart, Erlanger Children’s Hospital, and the McKamey Animal Center to help remind parents and care givers to 'Look Before You Lock'."
During to period of Aug. 2-5 a marked HCSO patrol unit will be rotated daily at various local Walmarts in Hamilton County and will display dual thermometers comparing the difference in temperature from inside to outside of the vehicle.
The patrol unit schedule is as follows:
Tuesday – Hixson Walmart
Wednesday – Hamilton Place Walmart
Thursday – Signal Mountain Walmart
Friday – Soddy Daisy Walmart
"During this time, parents and caregivers may easily see the visible difference in temperature and how dangerous it can be to leave a child or a pet unattended in a car," officials said.
The HCSO will have “Look Before You Lock” reminder stickers (removable) available for parents and caregivers who wish to have one to put on the inside of their driver-side door window reminding them to check their back seat.
The public, including children, are encouraged to attend.