Every year, thousands of
children are killed or seriously injured because a driver backing up didn’t see
them. With school
out for the summer, kids are everywhere and playing in driveways,
cul-de-sacs, sidewalks and even apartment complex parking lots. With it being light
outside later, play time is extended well into evening and MCFRS is sending an
important reminder to anyone behind the wheel:
- Make it a habit to walk all the way around your parked vehicle before getting in it to ensure there are no children behind it. Do this every time and do not rely on your mirrors.
- When possible, park your car so that you can pull forward instead of having to back out.
- Don’t
use driveways as play areas. Instead, identify a safe play area with
your child that's far from parked or moving vehicles and supervise at all times.
- If a child
goes missing, immediately check the inside passenger compartments and
trunks of all vehicles in the area very carefully, even if they are
locked. A child may lock the car doors after entering a vehicle on their
own, but may not be able to unlock them.
- Keep keys, fobs, smartphones and remote openers out of
the reach of children.
- LOCK
it! Keeps cars locked at all times, even in garages. This can prevent
curious children from getting into a car and then unable to get out or getting
locked inside a vehicle. It only takes a few minutes for a parked car to
heat up and become deadly. Take a minute and remind neighbors, guests and
baby sitters to always lock up.
- If you see a child alone in a vehicle, get involved. Call 911
immediately.
Fact Sheet
·
In the U.S. at least fifty children
are being backed over by vehicles EVERY week.
·
The predominant age of victims is
one year olds. (12-23 months)
·
Over 60% of backing up incidents
involved a larger size vehicle. (truck, van, SUV)
·
Tragically, in over 70% of these
incidents, a parent or close relative is behind the wheel.
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