Leaving your child or your pet alone in your car for "just a second" while you run in to drop off a video or dry cleaning, or to pick up a package or a gallon of milk might sound perfectly okay, but the results can be deadly. During the months of June, July and August 2001, at least 27 children died from hypothermia after becoming trapped or left behind in a car by their parents or day care providers.
The January 1, 2002 "Kaitlyn's Law" makes it an infraction, punishable by a fine of $100 for any parent, legal guardian, or other person responsible for a child 6 years of age or younger, to leave that child unattended in a motor vehicle without the supervision of someone at least 12 years of age or older.
Remember, it only takes minutes for a tragedy to occur. Never leave a child or a pet unattended in a car! Not for a minute.....Not for a second!
For more information on how to protect yourself from the health dangers of extreme heat, go to the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services' website at http://dhs.lacounty.gov. For emergency preparedness information, contact the County Office of Emergency Management at (213) 974-1166 or go to http://espfocus.org.
