The Florida Vehicular Heatstroke Task Force is a dedicated coalition of public safety officials, medical professionals, educators, companies and community advocates working to prevent heatstroke deaths in vehicles.
Our mission:
To raise awareness and provide education to eliminate vehicular heatstroke incidents and fatalities throughout the State of Florida.
Join Us! If you have a passion for the prevention of vehicular heatstroke, we would love to work with you!
It’s the Law…
Leaving children alone in a motor vehicle in Florida is illegal. Fortunately, there is a law to protect Good Samaritans who choose to act to prevent a vehicular heatstroke injury or death.
State Uniform Traffic Control
- Statute 316.6135: Leaving Children Unattended or Unsupervised in Motor Vehicles
- Statute 768.139: Rescue of Vulnerable Person or Domestic Animal from a Motor Vehicle; Immunity from Civil Liability
- Statute 768.13: Good Samaritan Act; Immunity from Civil Liability
Resources and Tool Kits for Prevention
Protecting children from vehicular heatstroke starts with awareness and continues with action. This folder features Florida-branded versions of key materials found in the national tool kits for hospitals, childcare providers, advocacy groups, employers, retailers, and Indigenous communities.
Each set includes customizable, ready-to-use resources such as:
These tools are designed to help you educate staff, engage families, and raise awareness in your community and all with consistent messaging tailored for Florida audiences.
Everything is organized, accessible, and easy to implement — empowering local and state partners to take life-saving action and prevent hot car tragedies.
The Advocate Tool Kit is designed to equip advocates, community leaders, nonprofit organizations and safety partners with ready-to-use resources to spread lifesaving messages and drive meaningful change.
The Childcare Tool Kit is designed to support childcare centers, family childcare homes and early childhood programs in educating staff, caregivers and families. It offers practical resources that can be easily incorporated into your existing communication and safety practices.
The Employer/Retailer Tool Kit is designed to equip advocates, community leaders, nonprofit organizations and safety partners with ready-to-use resources to spread lifesaving messages and drive meaningful change.
The Hospital Tool Kit is designed to provide hospitals, clinics and healthcare staff with easy-to-use resources to educate caregivers, volunteers and the broader community. Here, you will find customizable materials, educational tools and outreach resources that can be seamlessly integrated into your hospital’s existing safety program.
Protecting children from pediatric vehicular heatstroke (PVH) starts with awareness and action. This tool kit was developed to support indigenous communities with clear, practical resources to help prevent hot car tragedies.
All resources are organized, adaptable, and ready to use. You can also submit a PNG-formatted logo to have it co-branded on the materials provided — simply email your request to [email protected].
- Tool Kit Contents
- Printable Resources
- Posters (Coming Soon)
- Infographics
- Parking Lot Signs
- Window Cling
- Customizable Emails
- Talking Points
Use ready-made social media posts for easy sharing online.
Coming Soon!
Innovative Concepts Tripod Display
Product Description: The Never Leave Your Child Alone Table Tripod Display allows you to educate families about heatstroke by displaying the ACT tips. The unit houses two 4 inch red LED Temperature Displays that provides a visual representation of the outdoor temperature and the temperature inside a vehicle after being parked in that same environment for a period. The unit includes two cabled sensor probes to be placed outdoors and within a vehicle. The unit is required to be plugged in to a suitable electrical outlet for operation.
Details: The kit includes an LED Temperature Unit (Temp Range: -4 F to +140 F) with integrated tripod mount, a tripod with carrying case and Velcro straps, a standard sign with ACT tips, and two cabled temperature sensors.
Product Dimensions:
LED Temperature Display Unit – 19.5 inches tall by 16.5 inches wide by 3.25 inches deep – Approximately 14 lbs.
Tripod – 5 inches by 5 inches by 48 inches (Folded) – Approximately 12 lbs.
*The Never Leave Your Child Alone Tripod Display is manufactured at our facility located in Dunkirk, Maryland USA. Each item is custom manufactured to order. Please allow 8 to 10 weeks for delivery if not currently in stock.
Innovative Concepts Tabletop Display
Product Description: The Never Leave Your Child Alone Table Top Display allows you to educate families about heatstroke by displaying the ACT tips. There is also a mounted temperature display unit that provides a visual representation of the outdoor temperature and the temperature inside a vehicle after being parked in that same environment for a period. The portable sensor it to be placed inside the vehicle, but not in direct sunlight to give the most accurate reading.
Details: The kit includes a 17.75” by 11.75” sign with a mounted temperature display unit (Temp Range: -39.8 F to +139.8 F) that fits into a pre-cut angled base. The temperature display unit includes a movable sensor to be placed inside a vehicle.
*The Never Leave Your Child Alone Tabletop Display is manufactured at our facility located in Dunkirk, Maryland USA. Each item is custom manufactured to order. Please allow 1 to 3 weeks for delivery.
Quick, Accessible and Impactful Learning
Children in Hot Cars – 10-Minute E-Learning Course
Every year, children suffer fatal heatstroke after being left in hot cars—an entirely preventable tragedy. Whether it’s a change in routine, a moment of distraction, or an assumption that a quick stop is safe, the risk is real. This short, engaging, and interactive 10-minute e-learning course is designed to raise awareness and equip individuals with the knowledge to prevent these heartbreaking incidents.
Flexible Enrollment: Learn as an Individual or Train as a Group
- Individuals can easily enroll and complete the course at their own pace.
- Organizations, schools, and businesses can set up group training, allowing a designated administrator to track participant progress and ensure completion.
National Pediatric Vehicular Heatstroke Resources
Learn more about vehicular heatstroke from national resources. Learn how these deaths occur and what you can do to prevent injuries and deaths.
Florida Heatstroke Task Force Membership
Meet the team and know their “WHYs”
Patti Liedy
My Why:
Because it can happen to anyone.
Amy Artuso
My Why:
There are no safe time periods to leave children (or pets) unattended in vehicles.
Alexis Kagiliery
My Why:
Because heatstroke is 100% preventable.
Danielle Kessenger
My Why:
Education and empathy save lives.
Georgette Smith
My Why:
I am dedicated to raising awareness and implementing strategies to prevent heat-related incidents across our communities.
Clover Apelian
My Why:
Children need problem solvers. I hope to be one of them.
Task Force Meeting Minutes & Recordings
View Meeting Minutes
View Meeting Slides
View Meeting Minutes (Coming Soon)
View Meeting Minutes
View Meeting Slides
Florida Vehicular Heatstroke Resources
Visit the Florida Occupant Protection Resource Center for resources on safe transportation.
Florida Outreach Events
Calendar of Events
What: Press Conference/Media Event
When: May 1, 2025, 10:00AM
Where: Mitchell Learning Academy, Jacksonville, FL
Who: Safe Kids with THE PLAYERS Center for Child Health led by Wolfson Children’s Hospital
Safe Kids Northeast Florida in partnership with Safe Kids Worldwide and other national and local partners will come together to provided information and awareness on how to prevent vehicular heatstroke.
Register Your Event
If you are planning an activity or event related to pediatric vehicular heatstroke, register your event here to be publicized on this website.
Florida Vehicular Heatstroke Task Force Activity/Event Registration