Not Even For a Minute

The Rotary Club of Reno Sunrise has partnered with Safe Kids Washoe County to bring the Not Even for a Minute campaign to Northern Nevada. The purpose of the campaign is to alert parents, grandparents, and others who care for young children, not to leave a child unattended in or around a motor vehicle. The Not Even for a Minute campaign originated in New Jersey as a program of the New Jersey Department of Human Services. A number of organizations across the United States has adopted the Not Even for A Minute program.

Based on the Safe Kids Worldwide model, the focus of Safe Kids Washoe County is the prevention of accidental injury and death of children aged 0-14. Accidental injuries are the number one cause of death for children in these age groups. Safe Kids Washoe County is a coalition of local agencies and private citizens that focus on programs, advocacy and increasing public awareness of four targeted risk areas including automobile, pedestrian and bicycle safety, and falls.

Since 2000, more than 1,000 children have died nationally in cars in these types of non-traffic accidents, and in northern Nevada there have been three backover deaths between November 2005 – July 2006.

The Not Even for A Minute campaign utilizes local children representing the diverse populations in northern Nevada to educate the public through videos, posters, and brochures (see below) about the dangers of leaving children unattended in and around vehicles. These dangers include:

Backover deaths – A driver cannot see the rear bumper of their car when sitting in the driver’s seat. Many vehicles – especially larger ones like SUVs, minivans and trucks – have a huge blind zone of 20 to 50 feet.
Temperature -The temperature inside a car that is parked in the sun can reach more than 130oF in just 15 minutes any time of the year.
Locked in Trunk – Car trunks are dark, airtight, and most cannot be opened from inside.
Runaway Vehicles – Kids can release parking brakes and take automatic transmissions our of park.
Power Accessories – Power windows, power seats, power sunroofs, and cigarette lighters are designed for adult use but pose dangerous risks for young children.

In October 2005, the State of Nevada passed a law making it a misdemeanor when NRS 202.575 is not followed:
A parent, legal guardian or other person responsible for a child who is 7 years of age or younger shall not knowingly and intentionally leave that child in a motor vehicle if:
(a) The conditions present a significant risk to the health and safety of the child; or
(b) The engine of the motor vehicle is running or the keys to the vehicle are in the ignition unless the child is being supervised by and within the sight of a person who is at least 12 years of age.