CIG Insurance Community Safety Saturday™ Warns: Do Not Leave Children in Hot Cars

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - June 10, 2014 - PRLog -- GDI’s 4th Annual CIG Insurance Community Safety Saturday, a free, family-friendly event sponsored by Capital Insurance Group® (CIG) and hosted by GDI Insurance, was recently held at GDI Insurance Agency’s Turlock, California office. The summer kick-off event featured informative displays, activities, and demonstrations to help improve the safety and security of children, teens, families, and communities.

Grant Davis, President of GDI Insurance notes, “With summer coming on we feel it’s important to share safety information about the danger of heatstroke for children left in hot cars. Even mild outside temperatures can pose a threat.”

“Family and community safety is not a once-a-year event,” says Jeff Batozech, Northern California Regional Field Executive at CIG Insurance.  “CIG and our partnering independent insurance advisors know that it’s important to share safety concerns and tips year round.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that heatstroke is the number one killer of children outside of car crashes. From 1998-2013, 606 children died due to heatstroke, 44 in 2013 alone. Here in California, last month, a baby died from heatstroke in San Jose after being left in a car. Just last week, a child died from heatstroke in Bakersfield after he wandered off and climbed into the family car.  Although many parents may think that this will never happen to them, it is important that parents talk to their babysitters, grandparents, and others who care for their children to make them aware of the dangers and to remember that children should never be left alone around cars or left in a car.

NHTSA notes, a child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult’s, making children more vulnerable to hyperthermia, or heatstroke, which can occur at body temperatures above 104 degrees. Symptoms of heatstroke include: dizziness, disorientation, agitation, confusion, sluggishness, seizure, hot dry skin that is flushed but not sweaty, loss of consciousness, rapid heartbeat and hallucinations.

Batozech adds, “As outside temperatures rise, so does the risk of heatstroke – to people of all ages, but especially children left in hot cars. What is most tragic is that the majority of children’s deaths from heatstroke could be prevented. CIG is dedicated to child, teen, family and community safety. We want to do all we can to help prevent these tragedies.”

NHTSA urges parents and caretakers to:

- Never leave a child in a vehicle unattended.

- Make it a habit to look in the back seat every time you exit the car.

- Always lock the car and put the keys out of reach.

- Know the warning signs: hot skin; no sweating; irregular pulse, nausea or confusion.

- If you ever see a child left alone in a hot vehicle, call 911 right away.

- Always know where your children are.

Community Safety Saturday was developed by CIG in 2010 and many well-attended events have been held throughout California and Nevada. The event features informative displays, large vehicles and equipment used by law enforcement agencies, activities, and demonstrations to help improve the safety and security of children, teens, families, and communities. Attendees enjoy free games, prizes, food, and valuable materials and information provided by local and regional organizations. Upcoming California events:

• Sept. 6, 2014 – CIG Insurance Corporate Office, 2300 Garden Rd., Monterey

• Oct. 4, 2014 – CIG Central Valley Insurance Agency, 4142 S. Demaree St., Visalia

• Oct. 18, 2014 – William Ritchey Insurance, 617 Main St., Delano

For more information about CIG Insurance Community Safety Saturday, visit www.cigsafetysaturday.com

To learn more about CIG’s award winning safety and security service, The Protector Network®, visit www.TheProtectorNetwork.com

About Capital Insurance Group

Capital Insurance Group® (CIG) is the leading regional property and casualty insurer serving the Western U.S. since 1898. CIG insures Personal Auto, Homeowners, Farmowners, Condo Owners, Vacation Property, Renters, Apartment Building Owners, and many kinds of Commercial and Agricultural Auto and Property. The more-than-115-year-old company is rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best, the independent financial monitor of the insurance industry. CIG manages personal, business, and agriculture risks underwritten by its affiliate companies: California Capital Insurance Company, Eagle West Insurance Company, Nevada Capital Insurance Company, and Monterey Insurance Company. Types of policies may vary from state to state. For more information, please visit www.CIGinsurance.com

About The Protector Network

The Protector Network® is the West's leading authority for safety and security. The Protector Network provides an array of tips, articles, news, tools, and products to help protect your home, auto and business. Brand partner offers, service features, terms and conditions may vary. Membership in The Protector Network is a complementary benefit to Capital Insurance Group® (CIG) policy clients. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter. For more information, please visit www.TheProtectorNetwork.com

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