Contact: Dave Bond, Media Specialist Oklahoma House of Representatives Capitol: (405) 962-7671  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: State Rep. Fred Perry Capitol: (405) 557-7331 Tulsa: (918) 557-3733  State Lawmaker Announces Distribution Partners for "Infant Death Prevention Devices"  OKLAHOMA CITY (July 26, 2005) - After two separate incidents this month in which Oklahoma children died from heat-related injuries after being left in the car by their parents, a state lawmaker is stepping up his efforts to remind parents not to make the same mistake.  In 2003, after a Glenpool child died in a similar incident, Rep. Fred Perry came up with the idea of interior car hangers and key chain clips to remind parents that a child was in the car during the hot summer months.  Perry then took his idea to Jason Maddox, the owner of thinkDESIGNco, a graphics design and marketing firm. The "Remember Baby" car hangers and key chain clips were the result. Maddox, who has an infant child himself, has been a partner with Perry in the effort to prevent child deaths.  Since then, several hundred of these "infant death prevention devices" have been produced and distributed.  However, following this month's deaths, the Tulsa legislator has sought to increase the number of the devices produced and distributed, and has worked successfully to find new partners to help with the process.  Perry has financed some of the production costs out of his own pocket, as well as with money from contributors to his campaign (with their permission), and with the generosity of Mike McNally of McNally Printing of Tulsa and two anonymous contributors.  And today Perry announced a new agreement with the two major Safe Kids Coalition organizations in the State of Oklahoma: Safe Kids Tulsa Area and Safe Kids Oklahoma, both of which have agreed to distribute the hangers and key chain clips from their respective facilities.  "The Tulsa area Safe Kids folks will distribute the 'Remember Baby' devices to parents and groups within the 918- area code area, and the Oklahoma Safe Kids group, located in Oklahoma City, will distribute them within the 405- area code area," Perry explained.  "I am extremely thankful for the cooperation of Mary Beth Ogle and Martha Collar, the executive directors, respectively, of these two great organizations. Their assistance will free me up to raise additional funds for the cause."  Collar, who heads Safe Kids Oklahoma, said the hangers and key chain clips help with the goal of keeping Oklahoma children safe. "These materials will hopefully be one more reminder to parents who are transporting children in the back seat of the car," she added. "We encourage all parents to put their purse, or briefcase, or a cell phone or something in the back seat, as a reminder to take their child inside with them."  Ogle, of Safe Kids Tulsa Area, agreed, saying that "whatever it takes to prevent a child from being left in a hot car, it's worth it. I don't think any parent exposes their child to oven-like temperatures on purpose. But it's worth educating and bringing parents' attention to this possibility. I really commend Representative Perry for bringing attention to this tragic issue."  Perry said he is still looking for additional retail sponsors to distribute the "Remember Baby" devices in their stores, which he said would increase public awareness of the devices and make them more accessible.  "If people can simply stop in to a convenience store or super market and pick one up, this will make things easier and less expensive," said Perry, who is currently serving his sixth and final term in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.  He pointed out that retailers who help distribute the reminder devices are likely to benefit from the good will associated with the project and the potential increased consumer traffic that could result.  "I am in discussions with different executives right now, but it would help if people called store owners and retail executives and encouraged them to take part in this program," Perry said.  "I've been very encouraged by the fact that the public reception to these 'Remember Baby' devices has been truly overwhelming," he added. "We did an interview on Channel 6 in Tulsa on this project just the other day. The next day, my telephone was ringing off the hook with people calling, asking where they could get one of these 'Remember Baby' hangers."  People can order "Remember Baby" car hangers by calling their local chapter of the Safe Kids Coalition: (918) 494-SAFE in Tulsa, or (405) 271-5695 in Oklahoma City. Anyone interested can view designs for the "Remember Baby" mirror hangers and key chain clips at www.fredperry.net.  -30-