Deltona Firefighters To Educate About Hot Car Dangers For Kids And Pets

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hot car interior

Deltona, FL-Deltona firefighters kick off a public information campaign on May 31. The campaign against leaving children, other vulnerable adults or pets in a hot vehicle is a combined partnership of the city of Deltona, the Deltona Fire Fighters Foundation, Cynthia Blomquist State Farm and Halifax Health.

Lt. John Vicarro is a paramedic for the Deltona Fire Department and has seen the result of this problem firsthand so the campaign is personal for him. Vicarro said the Foundation came up with the idea of a digital display sign in the hopes of getting people's attention.

The plan is to make the sign available to local businesses and other organizations for display. The sign will also be at fire stations throughout the spring and summer seasons, providing residents with the following four tips:

*Never leave your child or pet alone in a car - not even for a minute.

*Make sure to leave your car locked when you are not in it so children can’t get into it on their own.

*Create reminders by putting something in the backseat of your car next to your child such as a briefcase, purse or a cell phone that is needed at your final destination. This is especially important if you are not following your normal routine.

*Take action if you see a child or pet alone in a car, call 911.

The temperature inside a vehicle will be much higher than what it is outside. Vicarro wants people to keep the image of that in their head so they'll think about it when they do have their child or pet with them in the vehicle.

House Bill 131 was signed into law earlier this year, making it legal for someone to break into a vehicle to rescue a vulnerable person or animal. The details of the bill can be found by clicking here.

The campaign kicks off on May 31 at Walgreen’s on Normandy Blvd. in Deltona from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2016.