March 4, 2026 - Injury Free Coalition for Kids National Office
Clinical and Public Health Trainees are Invited to Create Social Media Content as Child Heatstroke Deaths Surpass 1,000
NEW YORK, March 4, 2026 — Every hot car death is preventable. Since 1998, 1,041 children have died from pediatric vehicular heatstroke (PVH) from being left behind in a hot car. In a concerted effort to end these preventable tragedies, the Injury Free Coalition for Kids® (IFCK) and The National Road Safety Foundation (NRSF) have joined forces to launch a nationwide social media contest.
The initiative calls on trainees from the clinical and public health community to design compelling social media content that captures the attention of parents and caregivers, while educating them on the dangers of leaving a child unattended in a vehicle. "By engaging the next generation of medical and public health professionals, we can find new ways to communicate life-saving habits," says Dr. Barbara Barlow, MD, Founder of the Injury Free Coalition for Kids® (IFCK).
Who Can Enter:
Prizes: There are three prizes totaling $5,000 for the most impactful entries:
Timeline and Selection Process
How to Participate:
Detailed entry information, submission guidelines, and official rules are available online.
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About the Injury Free Coalition for Kids® IFCK is among the country's fastest-growing prevention programs, comprised of hospital-based, community-oriented programs whose efforts are anchored in research, education, and advocacy.
About The National Road Safety Foundation The National Road Safety Foundation is a non-profit organization that for more than 60 years has created free driver safety programs for use by schools, police, and community groups.
