Phoenix Fire kicks off program to prevent hot car deaths this summer

PHOENIX — The Phoenix Fire Department on Wednesday kicked off a program to prevent hot car deaths in Arizona this summer.

Phoenix Ford Dealers produced a window cling that will be placed in all Arizona QuikTrip stores and Valley Ford dealerships as part of the campaign.

The sticker, written in English and Spanish, reminds drivers parking their cars that children and pets are at risk of dying of heat stroke at temperatures as low as 70 degrees.

Last year, 52 children died in the U.S. from being left in a hot car, according to a press release. Nine hot car deaths have been reported so far this year.

.@PHXFire demonstrating how hot a car can get in just a matter of minutes. During the press conference today this car got 62 degrees hotter inside. @KTAR923 pic.twitter.com/EaRIZsvA1g

— Ali Vetnar (@Ali_Vetnar) June 5, 2019

“The summer heat is upon us, and it’s unfortunately time we need to remind everyone about safety for our pets and our children,” Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said at a press conference announcing the partnership Wednesday.

“We want to remind people and to tell parents, a sleeping baby is a terrible thing to wake up, but it beats the alternative.”

An infant died in northwest Arizona last month when her father allegedly left her in a car for about 45 minutes while he visited a friend.

Gallego said the city’s goal is to avoid any more hot car deaths this summer.

Last year, no children died from being left in hot cars in metro Phoenix during the bulk of summer.

Phoenix Fire and Police offered to provide the educational window clings to other retail locations by request at 602-370-5718.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Ali Vetnar contributed to this report. 

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