2021-0194
Title
Proclamation: "Vehicular Heatstroke Awareness Month"
Body
P R O C L A M A T I O N
WHEREAS, according to the National Safety Council, in 2019, 46 children died in hot cars and in 2020, 24 children died in hot cars. According to the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, from 2018 to 2019, 78 pets suffered heatstroke and died in hot cars. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that there is an average of 38 deaths in hot cars per year; and,
WHEREAS, it is hard to overstate the toll this takes on families, but together we can help put an end to this tragedy by taking some important steps; and,
WHEREAS, "Don't Leave Me Behind" is a vehicular heatstroke prevention partnership between United Way of St. Charles Success by 6, St. Charles Women's Club, St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office, St. Charles Parish Public Schools, St. Charles Humane Society, St. Charles Fireman's Association, St. Charles Parish Library, St. Charles Community Health Center, German Coast Farmer's Market, Four Stars Childcare Facility, and St. Charles Parish Government. Information is available through contact with any of these agencies; and,
WHEREAS, the following strategies can save the life of a child or pet: keep car doors locked when parked to prevent a child from climbing in and becoming trapped, never leave a child or pet in a vehicle when running errands, make it a habit to check the front and back seat of your vehicle before locking the door and walking away, place your purse or briefcase in the back seat to remind you to look before you lock, invest in a car-child-safety mirror, write a brightly-colored sticky note to put on the dash board of your car to remind you of your child or pet in the vehicle; and,
WHEREAS, St. Charles Parish is committed to working closely with community advocates to help prevent kids and pets from being left in cars unattended. Our goal is to educate parents and caregivers about vehicular heatstroke in order to pre...
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