KLAS-TV Channel 8 News Las VegasLV Fire Dept. Launches 'Heat Kills' Campaign

LV Fire Dept. Launches 'Heat Kills' Campaign

(Jul. 30) -- This past Monday a 3-year-old boy died from the injuries he suffered when he was left in a hot car on Sunday. The boy, Christian Olsen, was rushed to the hospital after he was found. Police are still investigating and at this point, no decision has been made on whether to charge his mother who says she accidentally left him in the car.

This week's tragedy is just the latest incident of a child being left in a hot car. The entire community is now working to try to make sure it doesn't happen again.

Terry Paul, with the Las Vegas Fire Department, said, "It seems to be an increasing problem."

It almost seems silly to think a sign like this is needed to remind parents not to leave their kids inside a hot car. But since it happens over and over again, the Las Vegas Fire Department had no choice.

"I think people do realize the potential danger of leaving children in cars, especially in the summer months, but sometimes we forget what we're doing, especially new residents to the Valley," Terry Paul said.

It's the first time the Las Vegas Fire Department has put on a campaign like this one. It's already had to order more supplies. Businesses have been more than willing to stick the reminders to their door. The decal says "Heat Kills" and also asks anyone who sees a child inside a hot car unattended to call 911.

The fire department is really counting on this visual medium to get the word out. They also hand out the "Heat Kills" bumper stickers. You can get one in English or Spanish.

Mercedes Sanchez works at a valley McDonalds. Families are in and out of the restaurant all day long. Sanchez hopes people will see the decal -- and think responsibly. She says she's tired of hearing the bad news. "I watch it on the news and that makes me think everyday of my kids."

Terry Paul continues, "Parents get busy with their normal daily routine and unfortunately sometimes their children are with them. Hopefully it will be a reminder before it's too late."

And if you'd like to support this effort, you can pick up a decal and bumper sticker at the Las Vegas Fire Department headquarters or sub-stations. If at least one parent gets the message, it's worth it.

The idea came from a city paramedic who saw the decals and stickers being used in another community. He passed on what he saw to the fire department and they immediately started a campaign of their own.

Many people aren't aware of how fast a child suffers serious injuries from being left in a hot car. Doctors say it can be only a matter of minutes before the heat starts to take affect.

Besides never leaving your child in a car, doctors also say parents should be aware of how much their child is drinking. Make sure to offer your child water or a sports drink throughout the day. Many times children don't think about it -- until they are already dehydrated.