Before you turn the key; make sure you can see

Janette Fennell

Contributor

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At least 16 children have lost their lives in nontraffic incidents so far this MONTH (April); almost one child every day. These tragic headlines should be a warning for all of us. Take heed and incorporate our safety tips below to keep children safe in and around motor vehicles.

April 22, 2009. A 19-month-old Bloomfield, NM boy was killed when a truck backed over him in a driveway. A family friend did not see the boy when he was leaving, and reversed over the child.

April 21, 2009. A Riverton, UT 18-month-old boy died after accidentally being run over in the driveway of his home. The toddler was getting a toy from under a truck when his uncle moved the vehicle without knowing he was there.

April 20, 2009. In Fresno, CA a two year old girl died after she toddled after her aunt uncle as they left a family gathering. They got into their 2008 Toyota Tundra Pickup truck not realizing she had followed them out to the driveway from the backyard.

April 19, 2009. A Mendota, CA Mom accidentally ran over her two children. Her 5-year-old was killed and 3-year old sibling is in serious condition.

April 18, 2009. 2-year-old died after being hit by a vehicle in an alley on Chicago’s South Side.

April 18, 2009. Five Houston, TX children drown when the vehicle they were traveling in landed in a drainage ditch filled with 9 feet of water.

April 16, 2009. A Houston, TX 2-year-old boy died after his father’s car hits him in their home driveway.

April 12, 2009. In Morganton, NC a 3-year-old was killed by a rolling SUV while playing with friends. The boy was hit by a Chevy Tahoe in his grandfather’s driveway.

April 11, 2009. A toddler was run over and killed by a SUV at a Los Angeles car wash as it moved from the washing area to a drying area.

April 9, 2009. A 4-month-old baby by died after being forgotten in a childcare van in Milwaukee, WI.

April 6, 2009. A Lynnwood, WA family is devastated after their 14-month-old boy died after being left in a hot vehicle for 7 hours.

April 4, 2009. A toddler died in Tampa, FL when a car rolled over her by a woman backing up without seeing the child behind the car.

KidsAndCars.org recommendations to keep children safe include:

· Walk around and behind a vehicle prior to moving it.

· Know where your kids are. Make children move away from your vehicle to a place where they are in full view before moving the car and know that another adult is properly supervising children before moving your vehicle.

· Teach children that “parked” vehicles might move. Let them know that they can see the vehicle; but the driver might not be able to see them.

· Consider installing cross view mirrors, audible collision detectors, rear view video camera and/or some type of back up detection device.

· Measure the size of your blind zone (area) behind the vehicle(s) you drive. A 5-foot-1-inch driver in a pickup truck can have a rear blind zone of approximately 8 feet wide by 50 feet long.

· Be aware that steep inclines and large SUV’s, vans and trucks add to the difficulty of seeing behind a vehicle.

· Hold children’s hand when leaving the vehicle.

· Teach your children to never play in, around or behind a vehicle and always set the emergency brake.

· Keep toys and other sports equipment off the driveway.

· Homeowners should trim landscaping around the driveway to ensure they can see the sidewalk, street and pedestrians clearly when backing out of their driveway. Pedestrians also need to be able to see a vehicle pulling out of the driveway.

· Never leave children alone in or around cars; not even for a minute.

· Keep vehicles locked at all times; even in the garage or driveway and always set your parking brake.

· Keys and/or remote openers should never be left within reach of children.

· Make sure all child passengers have left the car after it is parked.

· Be especially careful about keeping children safe in and around cars during busy times, schedule changes and periods of crisis or holidays.

Put something you'll need like your cell phone, handbag, employee badge, lunch or brief case, etc., on the floor board in the back seat. Get in the habit of always opening the back door of your vehicle every time you reach your destination to make sure no child has been left behind. This will soon become a habit. We call this the “Look…then lock campaign”

• Keep a large teddy bear in the child's car seat when it’s not occupied. When the child is placed in the seat, put the teddy bear in the front passenger seat. It's a visual reminder that anytime the teddy bear is up front you know the child is in the back seat in a child safety seat.
• Make arrangements with your child’s day care center or babysitter that you will always call them if your child will not be there on a particular day as scheduled. This is common courtesy and sets a good example that everyone who is involved in the care of your child is informed of their whereabouts on a daily basis. Ask them to phone you if your child doesn’t show up when expected. Many children’s lives could have been saved with a telephone call from a concerned child care provider. Give child care providers all your telephone numbers, including that of an extra family member or friend, so they can always confirm the whereabouts of your child.
• Use drive-thru services when available. (restaurants, banks, pharmacies, dry cleaners, etc.)
• Use your debit or credit card to pay for gas at the pump.
• If you see a child alone in a vehicle, get involved. If they are hot or seem sick, get them out as quickly as possible. Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.
• When a child is missing, check vehicles and car trunks immediately.

· These precautions can save lives.


For additional information visit www.KidsAndCars.org