We hear it on the news far too often, a child is injured or killed in or around a vehicle. Most of these tragic accidents involving kids are the result of distraction or a simple lack of awareness. Here are some important safety tips help keep our kids – and pets and adults – safe.
Backover Accidents
Every year children are killed or seriously injured in backover incidents. Driveways and parking lots are a dangerous place for kids. Children should be taught to not play in or around cars and to move well away from vehicles that are running.
Whether you’re leaving a garage, driveway or parking lot, always walk around the vehicle before backing up. When backing up, drive slowly and use all your mirrors, even if you have a backup camera, since kids can quickly end up behind the vehicle.
Rollaway Vehicles
When children play inside cars the risk of rollaway can occur if the transmission is moved out of “park”. This is why it is important to always engage the emergency brake every time you park.
Newer vehicles are equipped with a safety feature called Brake Transmission Safety Interlock (BTSI). BTSI requires the brake petal be depressed before the transmission can be shifted out of “park.” Since 2010 all new vehicles have been required to have BTSI. Unfortunately, vehicle rollaway is still a risk in vehicles equipped with a keyless ignition or push-button start. The vehicle can be turned off, but not shifted into park. Engaging the emergency brake is important regardless of what type of vehicle you are driving.
Hot Cars
Children are more vulnerable to heat stroke than adults. When a child is left in a hot vehicle their core body temperature can rise in a quick and deadly manner. An outside temperature in the mid-60s can cause a vehicle’s interior temperature to rise above 110 degrees Fahrenheit. The inside temperature of your car can rise almost 20 degrees Fahrenheit within the first 10 minutes.
In today’s busy world, even the best parents are capable of becoming distracted and leaving children in a hot car. Don’t allow this mistake to happen. Remind relatives and caregivers who don’t regularly drive kids of the dangers of leaving kids in the car under any circumstances. If you see a child left in a hot car – take immediate action! A child’s safety is everyone’s business.
Power Window Accidents
Children can be seriously injured or even killed by power windows. Small fingers and hands can be crushed and some kids have been strangled by power windows. Never leave the key in the “on” or “accessory” position when you are out of the vehicle and use the power window safety lock-out switch if it’s available on your vehicle.
Keep younger kids strapped into car seats even when parked and teach kids to not play with switches. Always take a moment to look before closing windows.
Seat Belt Entanglement
When a child is not properly buckled into a car seat, or has access to an unused seat belt, they may become entangled if the seat belt wraps around the head, neck, or waist. Seat belts have a locking mechanism on the retractor that is designed to secure car seats. This same mechanism can tighten a belt around a child, trapping them.
Never let children play in or around cars and always ensure children are properly restrained. Keep unused seatbelts retracted and secured.
Trunk Entrapment
Children love to play in enclosed spaces, and car trunks look like an inviting place to hide out. However, a trunk can turn deadly if a child gets trapped inside, where heatstroke or asphyxiation can occur very quickly. If your child is missing the first place you should check is your car trunk.
Teach kids that car trunks are not for playing. Keep doors and trunks locked, rear seats in the upright and locked position, and the keys and remote entry devices out of reach of your kids.
Since September 2001 vehicles have been required to have a glow-in-the-dark truck release mechanism inside the trunk. If your car has this safety device, teach your kids how it works when warning them of the dangers of car trunks.