Prevent Backing Over Your Own Child
From Elizabeth Mitchell,Your Guide to Portland, OR.
Aug 5 2005
Avoid a Family Tragedy
Not Safe in Their Own Driveway

Kids move fast. Sometimes you think they are playing in the front yard, but turn your head for just a moment and they may be right behind your SUV. We have a Beaverton friend who accidentally backed over his son. After surgeries and weeks in the hospital the 2 year old was doing pretty well. But the father, who was driving the Hummer as it rolled over his little son, is scarred for life. He has nightmares. He is wracked with guilt and nothing can take away that horrific experience.

Back-overs Can be Prevented

KIDS AND CARS 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 vehicles you drive. A 5-foot-1-inch driver in a pickup truck can have a rear blind spot of 7 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.
* Keep toys and other sports equipment off 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.
* Keys should never be left within reach of children.
* Always 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.

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