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Look and look again in driveways — cars are big; kids are small

Posted
Women looking behind while backing up car

The stories are heartbreaking. A family member pulls into or out of a driveway and hits a young child.

It happened in Boynton Beach when an uncle hit his 14-month-old nephew in a driveway while backing out.

In recent years, more than 1,150 children have died after cars backed over them in driveways. Almost all of the children were younger than 5 years old, and in many cases, the driver was a family member.

TIPS TO PREVENT YOUR CHILD FROM BECOMING A STATISTIC:

  • Make sure an adult monitors children outside when you leave. Don’t allow children to play in parking lots unattended.
  • Move away anything in the driveway that might attract a child’s attention such as a bicycle or toy.
  • Accompany little children when they get in and out of vehicles.
  • Before you drive away, check around your car to make sure no children are around.
  • Back up slowly and roll down your windows so you can hear what children might be doing outside your vehicle.
  • Hold your young child’s hand when walking in a parking lot or by driveways. Make sure to teach older children to be aware of driveways and cars backing up.
SOURCE:
Safe Kids Worldwide

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Related resources

    • Safety

    Safety Council of Palm Beach County

    Non-governmental, nonprofit organization offering local safety programs, services and education materials to reduce health hazards and prevent injury for both personal and economic loss, including information for teen drivers and child safety. Programs include Behind the Wheel Driver Education; Baby In Back! and Mobile Eyes, which provides $100 to anyone who calls 911 to report a dangerous or erratic driver and identifies themselves as a Mobile Eyes caller.

    561-845-8233 Website
    • Parenting
    • Safety

    Safe Kids Worldwide

    National resources to protect children from preventable injuries

    202-662-0600 Website
    • Parenting
    • Safety

    Safe Kids Palm Beach County

    Local child safety information and assistance, including car seat installation, bike helmet fitting, poisoning prevention, TV tip-over prevention and more

    561-841-3500 ext. 4011 Website