PHOENIX— As part of the four-month long “Don’t Leave Me Behind!” vehicular heatstroke awareness campaign which starts on May 1st , the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office is challenging citizens to keep the number of incidents of children left in hot cars to zero.
“Deaths associated with hot cars are a completely preventable tragedy for both our children and our pets,” said Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery. “During the summer last year we were proud to say we saw zero hot car deaths, and this year we are working to ensure we can proclaim the same victory.”
The media is invited to the campaign kick-off at Desert Ridge Marketplace to view our mobile billboard truck, which will be traveling throughout the County, warning about the dangers of leaving young children and animals in unattended vehicles. The rolling signage features an image of a child and a small dog left inside a parked car as a reminder to drivers not to leave them behind.
Also as part of the 2017 campaign, an updated SafeKidsAZ webpage, SafeKidsAZ.org/Vehicular-Heatstroke, has been launched. The website is filled with information, tips and videos to help spread this important safety message. Leaving a child or pet in a vehicle is potentially fatal and, in some circumstances, a criminal offense. At the top of the page visitors will also notice a digital counter, which will showcase how many days into the 123 day campaign the County has gone without a tragic incident.
You are encouraged to take part and help MCAO achieve its goal of zero incidents of children left in hot cars this summer by using the hashtag #DontLeaveMeBehind and following us on Facebook and Twitter for more information and safety tips throughout the campaign.
Campaign Kick-Off
Monday, May 1st
11:00 a.m.
Desert Ridge Marketplace
21001 North Tatum Boulevard, Phoenix
(North parking area between Yard House and Dave & Buster’s)