DECAL Spotlights Dangers of Leaving Children in Vehicles
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“Look Again” Campaign Urges Greater Awareness to Protect Georgia’s Youngest Citizens
ATLANTA, Ga., (May 23, 2022) – For the ninth consecutive year, the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) is calling for families and caregivers of children to increase awareness of the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles. This year’s “Look Again” campaign comes just ahead of Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer, and hopes to ensure that families, child care providers, and the public understand how to prevent pediatric vehicular heatstroke during this time.
Officials will hold a virtual news conference on Friday, May 27, 2022, at 10:00 AM EST using this link.
“As more Georgians are getting back on the road, it is critically important to remember that our children are our most precious cargo,” said Governor Brian P. Kemp. “That’s why Marty and I stand with DECAL in urging everyone to ‘Look Again’ and protect the health and safety of Georgia’s children. Please join us in following these simple steps to make a difference, prevent pediatric vehicular heatstroke, and save lives.” View a public service announcement featuring Governor Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp here.
DECAL Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs said hundreds of thousands of children in Georgia are cared for daily by licensed child care providers, most of whom regularly transport children.
“When DECAL receives reports of children left in vehicles by providers, we investigate each incident,” said Commissioner Jacobs. “During FY2021, two children in Georgia were left in vehicles by child care providers. In FY2022, with about a month left in the year, seven children have been left. These included four incidents in Fulton County and single incidents in Clayton, Muscogee, and Newton counties. Thankfully, there were no serious injuries, but these numbers are moving in the wrong direction.”
Jacobs said “Look Again” is a message not only for child care programs and teachers but for anyone caring for a child ‒ parents, grandparents, other family members, neighbors, and friends ‒ to always account for the children in their care as they drive them from place to place. “When you arrive at your destination, check the front and back of your car, and after you have looked, just to be sure, Look Again. There is absolutely no reason for a child to suffer or die in these conditions,” she stressed.
Jacobs said technology is helping in the effort: “Sensors in car seats and vehicles and phone apps signal reminders when you reach your destination,” she said. “These technological resources help build habits to check the backseat after driving. And if these aren’t options, you can always place a stuffed animal in your passenger seat as a reminder that your child is in the back.”
Officials also remind the public to act responsibly and quickly if they see a child left alone in a vehicle by calling 911 immediately; emergency personnel are trained to respond.
For more information, visit decal.ga.gov or noheatstroke.org.
About DECAL
The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) is responsible for meeting the child care and early education needs of Georgia’s children and their families. It administers the nationally recognized Georgia’s Pre-K Program, licenses child care centers and home-based child care, administers Georgia’s Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) program, federal nutrition programs, and manages Quality Rated, Georgia’s community powered child care rating system.
The department also houses the Head Start State Collaboration Office, distributes federal funding to enhance the quality and availability of child care, and collaborates with Georgia child care resource and referral agencies and organizations throughout the state to enhance early care and education. For more information, go to decal.ga.gov.
Contact:
Reg Griffin
DECAL Communications Director
404-656-0239
reg.griffin@decal.ga.gov
Bill Valladares
GaFCP Communications Director
404-739-0043
william@gafcp.org
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