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Kern County proclaims July 2025 'Purple Ribbon Month,' highlights Caitlin's Law and child-heat-safety outreach
Summary
The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a proclamation naming July 2025 Purple Ribbon Month to raise awareness about the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles and to promote Caitlin's Law and related prevention tips.
The Kern County Board of Supervisors on June 24 unanimously proclaimed July 2025 as Purple Ribbon Month to raise public awareness about the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles and to promote Caitlin’s Law and related safety measures.
Supervisor Jeff Flores introduced the proclamation, saying the county seeks to prevent heat-related child fatalities. "Purple Ribbon Month is being declared in memory of Caitlin Marie Russell and all the children who have tragically lost their lives to preventable injuries in and around cars," Flores said.
County staff and department representatives described the outreach campaign that will accompany the proclamation. Director Lito Murillo (introduced during the item) and Human Services Chief Deputy Vanessa Frandell urged residents to adopt simple, preventive habits such as opening the back door after every trip, placing an essential item (for example a purse or badge) in the back seat to prompt checks, and asking child-care providers to notify parents immediately if a child does not arrive as scheduled.
Frandell read an excerpt from Caitlin’s mother describing the 2002 death that led to Caitlin’s Law. The county presentation cited national statistics: 40 children died in hot cars in 2024; since 1990, more than 1,100 child heat fatalities have been recorded. The board’s proclamation memorializes the county’s intent to carry out awareness efforts during July and to promote prevention tips across county programs and partner agencies.
Authority cited and vote The staff presentation referenced Caitlin’s Law (the statute making it an offense to leave a child 6 years or younger unattended in a vehicle without supervision by someone at least 12 years old), which the county said became effective Jan. 1, 2002. The board approved the proclamation by a 5–0 roll-call vote.
Why it matters County officials said the initiative is intended to reduce preventable child deaths during the hot months by encouraging simple, repeatable safety habits and by distributing multilingual outreach materials through county and partner networks.
Ending note County staff said they will use Purple Ribbon Month to distribute safety checklists and to coordinate with school, health and outreach partners to circulate prevention messaging throughout July.
