Avoid Leaving Pets in Vehicles on National Heatstroke Awareness Day

Avoid Leaving Pets in Vehicles on National Heatstroke Awareness Day - Keep The Furry Friends Safe!

The Ad Council, a non-profit organization that brings together creative storytellers to address pressing issues in America, has partnered with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to disseminate a new public service advertising (PSA) campaign. The aim is to raise awareness about the dangers of children being left alone in hot cars, a problem that has resulted in tragic deaths across the nation.

Pediatric Vehicular Heatstroke, or child hot car deaths, is the leading cause of non-crash, vehicle-related fatality for children 14 and younger. According to NHTSA, heat can have devastating effects on children, with their bodies warming three to five times faster than adult bodies. The scripts for the PSAs take a lighthearted approach to a serious subject, using simple vignettes to show the many things parents promise never to do, but "never" can happen, such as forgetting a child in a hot car or having a child stuck in a car.

The "Never Happens" campaign leverages a wide array of assets, including TV, radio, print, outdoor, and digital assets, available in both English and Spanish. The ads will be placed nationally, with a focus on the "sunbelt" states where the majority of pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths occur.

Sophie Shulman, NHTSA Deputy Administrator, stated that hot car deaths are heartbreaking but preventable and urged all Americans to understand the risks posed by hot cars and do their part to keep children safe. Michelle Hillman, chief campaign development officer at the Ad Council, echoed this sentiment, stating that child hot car deaths are deeply tragic and 100% preventable.

The partnership between the Ad Council and NHTSA has promoted safety on America's roads for decades. This collaboration has produced the "Never Happens" PSAs, which encourage all parents and caregivers to always "Stop. Look. Lock." before walking away from their vehicle, reminding them that cars heat up quickly, and hot car deaths can occur in vehicles parked in shaded areas in temperatures as low as 60 degrees, even with the windows cracked.

Some new vehicles come with backseat reminder technology, but parents and caregivers can find important information about preventing hot car injury and death at NHTSA.gov/Heatstroke. The director of the PSAs, Lisa Rubisch, identified with the creative and message, making the campaign a dream collaboration for all involved.

The Ad Council, NHTSA, and Chemistry have debuted this campaign as temperatures around the country begin to rise ahead of summer. The organisation that took up this collaboration is the Ad Council itself, along with NHTSA. The campaign serves as a reminder that child hot car deaths are preventable, and everyone has a role to play in keeping our children safe.

Avoid Leaving Pets in Vehicles on National Heatstroke Awareness Day - Keep The Furry Friends Safe!