Not Even For A Minute
The Iowa Medical Society Alliance, with the support of the Iowa Medical Society, is introducing its newest project, "Not Even for a Minute," reminding adults not to leave children unattended in automobiles.
Children's health experts warn that on a breezy day with the outside temperature only in the low 70s, a closed automobile can heat up to 125 degrees within 15 minutes. Even with the windows cracked, a small child can dehydrate within minutes. The result can be deadly.
Whatever the season, leaving children alone in cars is risky. In less than a minute, a child can climb out of a car seat and shift the car into gear. And it takes only a minute for someone to break into a vehicle and abduct a child.
It is easy to underestimate the time a child will be left alone in an automobile. We've all had the experience of finding ourselves standing in the unexpected line or running into someone we know, having a conversation and losing track of time.
Children left in the car by well-meaning parents during a hectic day of running errands or driving the kids to various activities. When you walk away from your car, take your child too.
The IMSA will work with hospital maternity wards throughout Iowa, to distribute 50,000 window decals and informational flyers in their newborn infant packets.
"Left alone in a vehicle for a short time, a child is in danger of dehydration, injury, abduction and death," said IMSA member, Barbara Savage. "It is imperative that we raise the level of public awareness, that children should not be left alone in automobiles...Not Even for a Minute.
