How to get a free backseat reminder hang tag to prevent hot car deaths

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — 51 children died in hot cars across the nation last summer and on average 36 pets die in hot cars each year.

Wilmington Police Department and Coastal Kia want to reduce those numbers to zero.

Starting Tuesday, stop by the Coastal Kia showroom, Wilmington Police Department headquarters or southeast station on South College to get a free hang tag.

As temperatures start to heat up, they are reminding drivers to take that extra look before locking the door to keep your pet and child safe.

Promote safety this summer and keep children and pets safe from hot cars. Pick up your free hang tag from WPD or Coastal Kia to promote our safe summer campaign. Hang tags available starting tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/C5waAO7a9b

— Wilmington Police (@WilmingtonPD) March 11, 2019

“Whatever measures we can take to educate the public and remind drivers as they’re exciting their cars to just take an extra look in the backseat to make sure that everything is secure and everything is safe and that nobody is left behind,” WPD Spokeswoman Linda Thompson said.

More than 100,000 hang tags are available for pick up.