Safe Kids Worldwide and JPMA Announce New Resources for Parents to Keep Children Safe in Cars During COVID-19

WASHINGTON and MT. LAUREL, N.J., April 24, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Even as families try to stay home as much as possible during the coronavirus pandemic, there are times when a trip in the car with the kids is essential. Vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death and injury for American children and now early reports in some areas of the country indicate while there are fewer drivers on roads, they are traveling faster and less safely. This can lead to more serious crashes and injuries, reinforcing that correctly used car seats, booster seats and seat belts remain crucial.

Safe Kids Worldwide (SKW) has teamed up with the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) to provide parents and caregivers with new resources to support them in properly installing and using car seats and to remind anyone who may drive in a vehicle with a child that, without exception, children should be safely restrained in appropriate car or booster seats, every ride, every time.

See resources to keep children safe in cars during COVID-19

"These online and virtual resources are reinforcing the most important car safety tips for caregivers to remember during COVID-19 when they have so many other priorities to think about," said Torine Creppy, president of Safe Kids Worldwide. "We understand things are constantly changing in these uncertain times, but one thing that hasn't changed is when you take a trip in a vehicle, using a properly installed car seat for your child and a seat belt for everyone else is the best way to ensure your family is the most protected."

Historically, three out of four families make potentially dangerous mistakes in how they choose, install and use car seats. Parents turn to advocates for guidance and assistance, but many educational programs are not fully operational right now.

"While many services are disrupted, families can continue to depend on their car seat manufacturers to help protect their children, not only through making products to keep them safe, but also by assisting with correct use even as local car seat check programs are less available," shared Kelly Mariotti, executive director of JPMA. "While most are working remotely, car seat product specialists at all the major manufacturers remain available to answer questions and, in some cases, offer video assistance to parents who have questions."

To support parents and caregivers, SKW and JPMA are offering a suite of new, web-based resources on child passenger safety best practices, along with special information specific to the partial shutdown of in-person car seat inspection stations, including:

    --  Ultimate Car Seat Guide - This interactive tool provides expert guidance
        to parents on everything from how to fit a child into a car seat to how
        to know when it is time to move to a new type of seat.
    --  Live Assistance from Manufacturer Product Specialists - While Child
        Passenger Safety (CPS) technician programs and inspections are less
        available now, manufacturers are "essential" and continue to help
        parents use their car seats correctly. This compilation lists customer
        service phone numbers, websites, hours and video assistance
        opportunities.
    --  Phone Call with Your Local Safe Kids Coalition - Many local Safe Kids
        coalitions have certified child passenger safety technicians who are
        available to answer your specific questions over the phone. Visit
        safekids.org to find a coalition near you.
    --  Car Seat Cleaning Tips for COVID-19 - During a time when we are
        especially focused on keeping things sanitary, families can access the
        latest information from their car seat manual or by contacting the
        manufacturer of their car seat.
    --  Interactive Map of State Law Requirements - Car seats, booster seats and
        seat belts are required in all states and territories, and laws specify
        how children must be protected by properly used car seats, booster seats
        or seat belts.
    --  Heatstroke Prevention Tips - In the past two years, more than 100
        children died of heatstroke because they were alone or became trapped in
        a hot car. During COVID-19, be especially careful to avoid this type of
        tragedy by reviewing these tips.

These educational resources and other important information are available here.

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ABOUT SAFE KIDS WORLDWIDE
Safe Kids Worldwide is a nonprofit organization working to protect kids on the road, at home and at play. Preventable injuries are the number one cause of death for children in the United States. Safe Kids works with an extensive network of more than 400 coalitions in the U.S. and with partners in more than 30 countries to reduce traffic injuries, drownings, falls, burns, poisonings and more. Join our effort at safekids.org.

ABOUT JPMA
The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) is the voice of the industry on quality and safety for baby and children's products in North America. The Association advocates for safety through product certification programs and legislative and regulatory involvement. It also supports a broad and diverse membership through member-only programming and industry promotion, and acts as a comprehensive source for baby product information and education. JPMA members represent 95 percent of the prenatal to preschool products sold in North America.

To find out more about JPMA, our certification program and products certified, and for a complete listing of JPMA Members, please visit https://www.jpma.org. Follow JPMA on Twitter @JPMA and connect with us on Facebook to learn about additional safety tips and JPMA initiatives.

SOURCE Safe Kids Worldwide