Our thanks to Rick Hager, LSW, Community Outreach Coordinator, Office of Communications, Legislative and Public Affairs, New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF)

As New Jersey enters the height of summer, the Division of Highway Traffic Safety (HTS) and the Department of Children and Families (DCF) are partnering to raise urgent awareness about the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles.

Each year, children across the country are severely injured or die from heatstroke after accidentally being left or trapped in vehicles. According to the American Automobile Association of Northeast, child fatalities due to vehicular heatstroke increased by 35% last year, with two of the deaths occurring in New Jersey.

Statistics show that heatstroke deaths can occur any time during the season, even when it feels cooler out with temperatures as low as 60 degrees.  A child’s body temperature, as well as that of a car’s interior, rises significantly in just a matter of minutes even with the windows open.

These heartbreaking incidents are often caused by distraction, changes in routine, or miscommunication—and they are 100% preventable.

National data shows that the most common circumstance in these tragedies involves a child being forgotten during a routine daycare drop-off.  Using a sticky note on the dashboard or placing a lunch or work bag in the backseat on these days can help jog the driver’s memory and prevent a tragedy.

This year, with the help of New Jersey’s licensed network of close to 4100 childcare centers and fifty-nine Family Success Centers across the state, we can reach so many more families and caregivers with this vital information.

How HTS & DCF Can Support Your Efforts?

We are offering to send your center free educational materials to support outreach, including:

• Posters for lobbies and pickup areas

• Safety tip cards for parents and staff

• Stickers for families to use as visual reminders to check back seats 

To request materials or to discuss how your center can participate in this lifesaving campaign, please visit this page: https://www.nj.gov/dcf/news/publications/dcf-materials/safety.html

 For additional information on child passenger safety, please visit https://www.njoag.gov/about/divisions-and-offices/division-of-highway-traffic-safety-home/division-of-highway-traffic-safety-child-passenger-safety/ 

Together, we can help keep New Jersey’s children safe, healthy and connected.

In partnership,
New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety & New Jersey Department of Children and Families,

 Rick Hager, LSW, Community Outreach Coordinator,

Office of Communications, Legislative and Public Affairs, 

New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF)