Georgia leaders promoted the state’s “Look Again” campaign Tuesday to prevent parents and caregivers from leaving children unattended in vehicles, warning of the escalating chance of serious injury or death if children are left alone in cars for even a short period of time.
The statewide effort, which includes a social media campaign and a new public service announcement, urges Georgians to dial 911 if they see a child left alone in a vehicle. It also advises parents to check their backseats and floorboards each time they exit their car, and to lock the door when they park at home so a wandering child can't trap themselves in the vehicle.
“This is something that’s easily preventable,” said Amy Jacobs, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. “One child left unattended in a vehicle is one child too many.”
The inside of a car can quickly reach life-threatening temperatures on hot summer days in Georgia and since 2010, 11 children in Georgia have died due to vehicular heatstroke. Georgia’s early care department reports that 34 children have been left in vehicles by day care centers and child-care providers since fiscal year 2014; each recovered.
The campaign comes amid the high-profile trial of a Cobb County father facing murder charges after police say he intentionally left his toddler to die in a sweltering SUV. Justin Ross Harris has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and a judge is expected to soon announce a new venue for the trial.
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