Summer Safety Meeting Tackles Hot Car Tragedies, Skin Protection

In the heat of summer, a tragic pattern continues to claim young lives. In 2024 alone, 39 children across the U.S. died after being left in hot cars, according to the National Safety Council. Arkansas has one of the highest per-capita rates for these types of deaths in the country—with 19 children lost to hot car incidents since 1990.

That makes the summer safety meeting, hosted by the 100 Families Initiative of Independence County, especially important. Guest speakers included Christy Holman with McLaughlin Dermatology and Jennifer Worthington, who is with the 100 Families Initiative and a certified child passenger safety technician. Both shared information on preventing hot car deaths and protecting skin health during the summer months.  

“Fifty-five percent of those documented car deaths were due to kids being forgotten in the car by a caregiver,” Worthington explained. “Twenty-five percent were due to lack of supervision and the child gaining access to the vehicle on their own.”

Worthington shared that children younger than 12 months old are at a higher risk due to their inability to regulate body temperature. To aid in the safety reminder, Worthington presented the acronym ACT: Avoid leaving children alone. Create reminders. Take action immediately and call 911 if you see any child unattended.

Worthington described several everyday situations where a child might accidentally be left in a car—such as quick bathroom stops or the distraction of picking up or dropping off other children at school. She emphasized that leaving a child unattended in a vehicle is not only dangerous, but also illegal.

“The reason laws exist and things change is because of bad things happening,” stated Worthington. 

“Would you leave your purse in the front seat with the keys in the ignition and the doors open?” asked Amber Risner of Summit Community Care. She pointed out that most people wouldn’t think twice about securing their phones, wallets, or laptops—yet far too often, children are left behind. Her message encouraged a powerful shift in perspective: no possession is more valuable than a child’s life.

Low-Income Families Face Greater Risk

An article by National Public Radio (NPR) and the University of Maryland's Howard Center for Investigative Journalism indicated a connection between socioeconomic disadvantage and increased rates of child hot-car deaths, sometimes placing low-income families at greater risk. These contributing factors include:

• limited access to air conditioning

• older cars without safety reminders

• crowded living environments

Skin Cancer Education

“Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. There are millions of cases diagnosed each year,” said Holman as she shared the importance of sun protection. “But it’s also the most preventable.”

Holman warned attendees that sun rays are most harmful between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and sunscreen is highly advised. She recommends SPF 30 or higher and it should be reapplied every two hours. 

“Usually I recommend the mineral-based sunscreens. That’s better on kids and their skin, especially if they have sensitive skin,” explained Holman. She also said that if babies are under six months old then Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) clothing is best. 

“We don’t recommend the spray sunscreens,” said Holman. “Because they can be harsh on the skin and you tend to miss spots.”

To conclude the meeting, Worthington offered hands-on support for families needing help with car seat safety, inviting parents to visit her at The HUB for inspections or guidance.