Kids + Cars >> Safety
As summer temperatures heat up in Missouri, the Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) reminds all parents and caretakers to never leave a child unattended in or around a vehicle. The interior of a vehicle can heat up to temperatures well over 100 degrees in just a few short minutes. But regardless of the temperature, children should NEVER be left alone in a vehicle because of other dangers and risks. A child left unattended in a vehicle even for a short time is in danger of dehydration, overheating, hyperthermia, injury, abduction and even death.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently released its first-ever “Not-in-Traffic Surveillance 2007 - Children” confirming that preventable deaths and injuries associated with motor vehicles happen with regularity every year, not only on public roadways, but on private driveways and in parking lots. The safety agency report estimates that thousands of tragic and life-altering incidents occurred in 2007 due to children being left alone in hot vehicles, being backed over, or powerful automatic vehicle windows closing on necks and limbs of car occupants.
To help spread this critical safety message, CTF offers several public education materials from our 'Not Even For A Minute' Campaign (NEFAM). These are available at no cost in hard copy and download (pdf) and include a poster and rack card complete with helpful tips and reminders. The NEFAM Campaign also includes television and radio public service announcments (PSAs).
Play and/or Download: CTF NEFAM Radio PSA 1
CTF NEFAM Radio PSA 2
CTF NEFAM Video PSA
KidsAndCars, a national organization that addresses safety issues of children in and around vehicles, provides several helpful tips and reminders to parents and caregivers.










