Bashas’, Food City Grocery Stores Team Up With Arizona Department of Child Safety To Urge Everyone to “Double Check for Kids in Cars” this Summer

ARIZONA (July 14, 2015) – With desert temperatures rapidly rising, Bashas’ and Food City grocery stores have teamed up with the Arizona Department of Child Safety to urge everyone to double-check their vehicle every single time they exit it this summer – to make sure no child is left inside.

Arizona ranks third in the United States per capita for hyperthermia deaths of children in hot cars, according to a 2014 San Jose State University study. During the past 17 years, more than 28 children in Arizona have died from a heat stroke after being left in a hot car. 

Four states (Tennessee, Virginia, Oklahoma and Indiana) recently passed Good Samaritan laws allowing people to rescue a child from a hot car without facing legal challenges. Five other states (Connecticut, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina and Kentucky) are currently working on legislation.

It doesn’t take very long for anyone to feel the heat in a hot car. Experts say that children’s body temperatures rise about three to five times faster than adults. Even on a relatively mild day, a car’s interior temperature can rise approximately 20 degrees in 10 minutes. Research shows that cracking the car windows has almost no effect.

“Sadly, every summer we repeatedly hear the tragic news reports about a child being left in a hot car unattended,” said Edward “Trey” Basha, President and CEO of Bashas’ Family of Stores. “These preventable incidences are heartbreaking to hear as a parent, grandparent and member of the community. We stand proudly behind the Arizona Department of Child Safety, and hope to make an impact in the communities our stores serve statewide.”

Bashas’ and Food City teams have prominently posted “Double Check for Kids in Cars” signage at store entrances, and air public service announcements over the in-store radio intercom system. In addition, the grocers will devote a section of their weekly ads to reminder messaging about the campaign.

"Bashas' and Food City are partnering with us to prevent tragic deaths of children left in hot vehicles," said Greg McKay, Director of Arizona's Department of Child Safety.  "Educating our community about the importance of double-checking for kids in hot cars will save lives.  I'm heartened by their commitment to help spread this critically important message."

Since most infant car seats are rear-facing, adults don’t always see babies from the front seat. Experts suggest placing something you use often, like a purse or phone, into the back seat of the car to create a habit of going to that part of the car to grab it. Another tip is to place a large stuffed animal in the front seat of the car every single time that your baby is in the back seat. That way, when you’re driving and you look and see that stuffed animal, you remember that your child is in the back row.

For more information, visit dcs.az.gov/double-check

About Bashas’ Family of Stores
Bashas' Family of Stores - the family-owned grocer that operates Food City, AJ's Fine Foods, Eddie's Country Store, and both Bashas' and Bashas' Diné supermarkets - is an Arizona-based company founded by brothers Ike and Eddie Basha, Sr. With more than 120 grocery stores, it is one of the largest employers in the state and one of the Best Places to Work in Arizona. Since the company's inception in 1932, Bashas' has given back more than $100 million to the communities it serves. For more information, visit www.bashas.com

About Arizona Department of Public Safety
The Arizona Department of Child Safety is a human service organization dedicated to achieving safety, well-being and permanency for children, youth and families through leadership and the provision of quality services in partnership with communities. For more information, visit dcs.az.gov