FRANKFORT – As Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) motor fuel inspectors check fuel quantity and quality this year, they will add a special message to gas pumps. This year’s inspection stickers contain a message reminding drivers not to leave children or pets in a hot, unattended car.
“The services we provide at the Kentucky Department of Agriculture are focused on the common good of our consumers,” said Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell. “From protecting against animal diseases that could disrupt our food supply to fighting harmful policies that impact our farmers and farming families, KDA constantly works to improve our communities. Sending a message about protecting our children from suffering in a hot, unattended car is just one more way we can provide that service. “We hope these stickers serve as a reminder to keep in mind the lives in your car and how you can help protect them.”
The message about not leaving children in a hot car isn’t new, but it is on the gas pump inspection stickers KDA creates annually.
Last year, nationwide, 29 children died due to vehicular heat stroke. Pediatric vehicular heatstroke is a leading cause of non-vehicle-related deaths in children 14 years of age and younger. By adding a simple message to gas pump inspection stickers, Commissioner Shell hopes increased awareness will prevent unnecessary deaths of children or pets. Combining that message with inspection stickers on gas pumps across the state seemed natural, Shell said.
Kentucky State Police (KSP) joined Commissioner Shell in the message of protecting children from deaths caused by hot cars.
“As a father and a police officer, I cannot emphasize enough the danger of hyperthermia,” said Kentucky State Police Sgt. Matt Sudduth. “None of us want to believe that we would become so distracted that we would exit our vehicle without our child or pet, it is vital that we all slow down and take the necessary precautions to ensure this does not happen. KSP commends the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and gas stations across the Commonwealth for educating Kentuckians and working to save lives.”
Each year, KDA motor fuel inspectors check the quantity and quality of fuel at gasoline pumps across the state to ensure customers are getting what they paid for. Fuel pumps are also examined to make sure they do not have “skimmers” that thieves use to steal consumers’ credit card information. Stickers are added after inspection is complete.
KDA inspectors check about 60,000 gasoline pumps a year, looking for leaks, making sure the meter is working properly and that the price is calculated correctly.
Gas pumps in Kentucky are also inspected for quality. Fuel samples are sent to a laboratory in Houston for analysis. Gas pumps that fail that inspection are taken out of service until repairs are completed.
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