August is Purple Ribbon month, honoring children who lost their lives to preventable injuries in and around cars.
Thursday was the kickoff of an annual campaign showing just how dangerous kids and cars combined can be, if parents or caretakers don't pay close attention.
More than half of the over 500 children who died as a result of being left unattended in hot cars throughout the country in the last 14 years were forgotten.
"Maybe mom takes the child to the sitter every day, and, for some reason, today dad is asked to do it. And, if dad is not used to doing that, you know you could forget," said Pat Cheadle, Director, Kern County Department of Human Services.
Local health leaders showed how dangerous that can be by putting a thermometer in a car parked partially in the shade in 82 degree heat.
As part of a demonstration, 17's Rachelle Murcia took the wheel of a parked SUV, while pre-school aged children lined up behind it. She was then supposed to let the officer know when she see a child in her rearview mirror.
It's a lesson in looking before getting into your car.
"Sometimes we don't even think. We just get in the car and drive away," said CHP officer Robert Rodriguez.
Last month, a mother accidentally hit and killed her one-year-old daughter at their apartment complex on Monterey Street.
The Department of Human Services reports three children in Kern County were backed over and killed in the last year.
Back to the demonstration... after going back in the daycare twice for more kids, Rachelle finally stretched up her seat and saw a child. But, she was the 21st child lined up behind the SUV before Rachelle finally saw something.
"That could have been your child," said Rodriguez. "That could have been somebody else's child, but yes, it is very important you get out of the car and and go back and look."
Now, back to the thermometer left inside the car. Time lapse shows it went from 90 degrees, got stuck at 100, but with a tap, rose to the true heat of 105 degrees inside in just 20 minutes.
"In those few moments it could cost the fatality of a child," said Cheadle.
It's a life these lessons hope to save.
Health leaders remind everyone about the new car seat rules that took effect this year.
Children must be in a child safety seat until they are 4'9" tall or 8 years old.
And, if you see a child unattended in a car, call 911.
Thursday was the kickoff of an annual campaign showing just how dangerous kids and cars combined can be, if parents or caretakers don't pay close attention.
More than half of the over 500 children who died as a result of being left unattended in hot cars throughout the country in the last 14 years were forgotten.
"Maybe mom takes the child to the sitter every day, and, for some reason, today dad is asked to do it. And, if dad is not used to doing that, you know you could forget," said Pat Cheadle, Director, Kern County Department of Human Services.
Local health leaders showed how dangerous that can be by putting a thermometer in a car parked partially in the shade in 82 degree heat.
As part of a demonstration, 17's Rachelle Murcia took the wheel of a parked SUV, while pre-school aged children lined up behind it. She was then supposed to let the officer know when she see a child in her rearview mirror.
It's a lesson in looking before getting into your car.
"Sometimes we don't even think. We just get in the car and drive away," said CHP officer Robert Rodriguez.
Last month, a mother accidentally hit and killed her one-year-old daughter at their apartment complex on Monterey Street.
The Department of Human Services reports three children in Kern County were backed over and killed in the last year.
Back to the demonstration... after going back in the daycare twice for more kids, Rachelle finally stretched up her seat and saw a child. But, she was the 21st child lined up behind the SUV before Rachelle finally saw something.
"That could have been your child," said Rodriguez. "That could have been somebody else's child, but yes, it is very important you get out of the car and and go back and look."
Now, back to the thermometer left inside the car. Time lapse shows it went from 90 degrees, got stuck at 100, but with a tap, rose to the true heat of 105 degrees inside in just 20 minutes.
"In those few moments it could cost the fatality of a child," said Cheadle.
It's a life these lessons hope to save.
Health leaders remind everyone about the new car seat rules that took effect this year.
Children must be in a child safety seat until they are 4'9" tall or 8 years old.
And, if you see a child unattended in a car, call 911.