Free Training, Fewer Tragedies
On May 1, safety leaders across the U.S. observe National Heatstroke Awareness Day. The goal is to raise awareness of safety risks involving kids and hot cars. Why is this observance important to you?
- Over the last three decades, more than 1,000 children have died after being left unattended or becoming trapped in a hot car
- Nearly one-quarter of child hot-car deaths occur in workplace parking lots – at daycare centers, big-box retailers and corporate offices
Many of these incidents result from:
- Changes in normal drop-off routines
- Driver distraction or stress
- A quiet, sleeping infant left unintentionally behind
According to data tracked by Jan Null, a certified consulting meteorologist and adjunct professor at San Jose State University:
- 52.9% of pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths involve a forgotten child
- Null’s findings are published at noheatstroke.org
- Ohio ranks 14th in total child hot-car fatalities
These tragedies can happen to any caregiver – and often involve otherwise attentive, loving parents.
What You Can Do
In the workplace, you can help prevent tragedies by providing training and education. One of the best places to start: a FREE 15-minute online course offered by the National Safety Council.
The course is available in English and Spanish, is ideal for quick awareness-building during the workday and is well-suited for:
- Parents and caregivers
- Employees who transport children
- Healthcare providers and first responders
- Safety advocates involved in car seat or child safety programs
- Aspiring child passenger safety technicians
- Drivers participating in court diversion programs for child passenger safety violations
Easy Enrollment
Employers can reinforce their commitment to community and family safety by offering this training organization-wide:
- Enroll your entire team at once
- Track participation and completion
- Integrate training into safety talks, wellness initiatives or May awareness campaigns
To get started, complete this group delivery of courses request form.
It’s easy to make heatstroke prevention part of your safety culture. One short training. One important conversation. And potentially, one less tragedy.
Have Fun, Be Safe
May marks Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and it’s a great time for employers and safety leaders to reinforce the importance of watching for motorcycles – both on the job and during daily commutes.
In Ohio, safety risks are significant.
- 3,862 motorcycle-related crashes occurred on state roads from Jan. 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026 – an average of more than 257 crashes every month, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. These crashes often result in severe injuries, making awareness of safe driving behaviors essential.
Crashes involving your employees or their family members are costly, often leading to lost workdays, declines in productivity and higher insurance premiums.
Crash Trends
Motorcycles offer less protection and are harder to see than passenger vehicles. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration underscores the danger:
- In 2023, the motorcyclist fatality rate was 28 times higher than that of passenger car occupants per 100 million vehicle miles traveled
- 36% of riders involved in fatal crashes were speeding, compared to 22% of passenger vehicle drivers
- Younger riders face elevated risk: 54% of riders age 21-24 involved in fatal crashes were speeding
- In single-vehicle motorcycle crashes, 41% of fatalities involved alcohol impairment
What Can You Do?
All drivers can help reduce motorcycle crashes. Share these safety tips:
- Look twice at intersections: About 40% of motorcycle fatalities occur at intersections
- Use extra caution when turning left: It’s safer to let a motorcycle pass than to turn in front of it
- Eliminate distractions: Even a brief lapse in attention – like adjusting the radio or answering a phone – can cause a mishap
- Don’t tailgate or crowd: Motorcycles can reduce speed by downshifting without brake lights, so always give a full lane when passing
- Slow down: Excessive speed increases crash severity for everyone
Action = Impact
In 2025, nearly 78% of motorcyclists killed in crashes on Ohio’s roads were untrained. Motorcycle Ohio works to help Ohioans learn how to ride motorcycles safely by providing affordable motorcycle rider training courses for riders of all levels. Visit Motorcycle Ohio, and watch this public service announcement featuring Beth Fulton, a motorcycle enthusiast from Jefferson County. Her son was killed in a motorcycle crash when he lost control on a curve in 2022. Discuss and share rider training opportunities that could help prevent another tragedy.
- More driver safety resources: Downland and share items from our Safe Driving Toolkit – FREE!
- Get social: Post these free NHTSA graphics and videos on your channels
- Hear from the experts: Schedule a speaker to present on a range of motorcycle safety topics. Speakers Bureau | ODPS Motorcycle Ohio.
Opportunity Knocks
Promoting motorcycle awareness is a simple, effective step Ohio employers and safety leaders can take to help save lives.
Young Drivers, Safe Habits
You’re invited! Join us Wednesday, May 6, for our next FREE online webinar: Young Drivers in the Workplace – Building Safe Habits Early.
National Safety Council Senior Program Managers Laura Salvidar-Hill and DeAnn Crane will focus on helping young drivers build safe habits from the first day on the job and examine road safety risks through a workplace safety lens.
Who Should Attend?
This session is designed for employers, safety leaders and early-career workers. You will be guided through steps to support young drivers in developing responsible behaviors, reducing risk and building confidence behind the wheel, both on and off the job.
What to Expect
Salvidar-Hill and Crane will highlight FREE resources available through the Our Driving Concern employer traffic safety program, including the Young Drivers online training course. The course is available through the Our Driving Concern learning management system and can be integrated easily into employee onboarding or regular safety training programs.
You’ll also learn about DriveitHOME, a program of the National Safety Council geared toward increasing parent and caregiver involvement in the driver education process.