37 Children Die in Hot Car Tragedies Each Year; Learn Prevention Tips Today

May 1, 2024

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J., May 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today marks National Heatstroke Prevention Day, and in recognition, JPMA Cares and Safe Kids Worldwide (SKW) are reminding parents, caregivers, and neighbors about the dangers of heatstroke and sharing strategies to prevent child injuries and deaths in hot vehicles.


Since 1998, an alarming 969 children have been killed in hot car tragedies—an average of 37 children each year. Thousands more have survived with varying types and severities of injury. These tragedies have occurred regardless of parent or caregiver education, profession, income, and other demographics, and all could have been prevented.


Heatstroke occurs when the body is unable to cool itself quickly enough. Young children are particularly at risk, since a child's body heats up three to five times faster than an adult's. When a child's internal temperature reaches 104 degrees Fahrenheit, major organs begin to shut down, and when their temperature reaches 107 degrees, the child can die.


Hot car deaths have occurred when the outside temperature was below 60 degrees, because vehicle interiors become much hotter than outside temperatures. Research shows the temperature inside a car can heat up 19 degrees in just 10 minutes. Cracking the windows does not slow the heating process or significantly decrease the maximum temperature of a vehicle.


"Half of hot car deaths occur when children are inadvertently left in vehicles by caregivers, and these cases typically follow a change in routine," said JPMA Director of Child Passenger Safety Joe Colella. "With easy behavioral changes, parents, caregivers, and neighbors can prevent these horrible tragedies."

A common scenario is that a parent may intend to drop a child off at daycare. Once on their way, the parent begins thinking about driving or the many things on their to-do list. If routines have changed, the parent is tired or stressed, or there are other distractions, the parent may head directly to work or home. Without a visual cue, they unknowingly leave the child in the vehicle.


"Safe Kids Worldwide, JPMA Cares, and other injury prevention groups are committed to ending these preventable tragedies to babies and young children," said SKW President Torine Creppy. "Whether you are a parent, a caregiver, or a concerned bystander, we're calling on everyone to be part of the solution and help save lives."


Beyond the children inadvertently left in vehicles, a quarter of hot car deaths occur when a small child enters a vehicle on their own, the door closes, and the child becomes trapped in the vehicle. Parents, caregivers, neighbors, and bystanders can prevent hot car deaths with the following steps:


  • Never leave a young child alone in a car, not even for a minute.
  • Look before you lock—develop a habit to check the rear seat each time you park the car.
  • Lock your vehicle's doors, and keep your keys and key fobs out of children's reach. Ask your neighbors to do the same.
  • Create reminders. Put something in the back of your car that you'll need at your final destination such as a phone, briefcase, or purse.
  • Arrange for your childcare provider to contact you right away if your child hasn't arrived as scheduled.
  • If you see a child alone in a car, call 911. Emergency personnel wants you to call. They are trained to respond to these situations, and one call could save a life.


For more heatstroke prevention information and useful tips, visit safekids.org/heatstroke or jpmacares.org/car-seat-safety-tips.


About JPMA Cares
JPMA Cares is the philanthropic arm of the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) and the broader baby and children's products industry. As a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, JPMA Cares aims to create better outcomes for infants and toddlers by reducing preventable injuries and deaths and providing families in need with donations of time, talent, and product. Learn more and get involved at jpmacares.org. 


About Safe Kids Worldwide
Safe Kids Worldwide is a nonprofit organization working to reduce unintentional injuries to children ages 0-14 and build equitable and sustained systems that support injury prevention. For more information, visit safekids.org.

The Power of Three: Delta Children’s Legacy of Baby Safety

November 27, 2024
For the Shamie family, the safety and well-being of babies is more than a business—it’s a calling passed down through generations. Since its founding in 1968 by Louis Shamie Sr., Delta Children has become synonymous with safety and innovation in the juvenile products industry. Today, the next generation, led by his sons Joe and Sam Shamie, is carrying forward the family’s enduring commitment to creating safer products and giving back to the community. “The safety of children has been at the heart of our work for over five decades,” shares Joe Shamie, President of Delta Children. “We’ve seen how combining education, resources, and advocacy can create lasting change, which is why we’re passionate about supporting JPMA Cares and giving back.” As Delta Children prepares to pass its mission to the third generation, the Shamie family remains focused on fostering a culture of compassion and responsibility inspired by Louis Shamie Sr.’s original vision. “You have to give when you can,” reflects Joe Shamie. “By working together, we can provide families with the tools they need to make safer choices for their babies.” This GivingTuesday, he offers a clear call to action: “We need others in the industry to join us. Every contribution—whether it’s donating products, funds, or spreading awareness—makes a difference. Together, we can create a safer world for every child.” With champions like the Shamie family leading the way, the vision of a safer tomorrow is within reach—one crib, one family, and one life at a time. To learn more or contribute to JPMA Cares’ Safe Sleep Campaign, visit jpmacares.org .

For GivingTuesday, JPMA Cares Aims to Raise $20K to Help Babies Sleep Safely

November 19, 2024
MT. LAUREL, N.J., Nov. 19, 2024 -- As the annual GivingTuesday celebration nears, JPMA Cares —the philanthropic arm of the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA)—aims to unleash the power of people and organizations to form a future where babies no longer die from preventable deaths. The nonprofit organization has a goal to raise $20,000 for its Safe Sleep Campaign by the end of GivingTuesday on December 3, 2024. In a testament to shared belief and unwavering commitment, three former chief staff executives of JPMA have pledged to match the donations three to one for a total potential match of $60,000. Collectively, they are calling this "The Power of Three" pledge. Their generosity exemplifies leadership rooted in compassion, and their hope is to inspire others to do the same. "We've made significant strides in baby safety over the years, yet challenges remain," shared Bill MacMillan, CAE, former JPMA Executive Director, and current JPMA Cares Board Member. "I believe in this mission, and contributing to ensure safe sleep for infants feels like the most meaningful way to give back."  Bob Waller, Jr., CAE, former Executive Director for JPMA, current President & CEO of Association Headquarters (JPMA's management company for the past 46 years), and current JPMA Cares Board Member, added, "I want our safe sleep efforts to reach even more families as we build toward greater impact. I'm also a father and soon-to-be grandfather and feel personally called to support this cause." "Safe sleep for infants is a pressing concern in our country," noted Mike Dwyer, CAE, former JPMA Executive Director, current Association Headquarters Chief Executive Relationship Officer, and current JPMA President. "Supporting families to ensure they have awareness of—and products for—safe sleep practices is critical." The support from MacMillan, Waller, and Dwyer demonstrates how belief in a mission can inspire actions that create lasting change and hope. This year, JPMA Cares has: Amplified safe sleep best practices to expectant and new parents through videos on hospital network television Provided crucial safety information cards to expectant parents and caregivers, promoting awareness and education to support safer choices Distributed baby products to families affected by recent natural disasters "In 2022 alone, about 3,700 babies died from sleep-related deaths in the U.S. With your donations helping us to achieve 'The Power of Three' pledge, JPMA Cares will be able to impact more families, in more communities, and save even more lives," said Lisa Trofe, CAE, who serves as the current Executive Director for JPMA and JPMA Cares. To donate to JPMA Cares' Safe Sleep Campaign for GivingTuesday, visit JPMA Cares' website . To learn more about baby safety and access an abundance of free, expert-approved baby safety resources, visit the Baby Safety University section of the JPMA Cares website and follow @JPMACaresParents on Facebook and Instagram . About JPMA Cares JPMA Cares is the philanthropic arm of the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) and the broader baby and children's products industry. As a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, JPMA Cares aims to create better outcomes for infants and toddlers by reducing preventable injuries and deaths and providing families in need with donations of time, talent, and product.

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