News

Parents in increasing numbers know that keeping a child safe in a vehicle means using child car seats and always being sure that everyone is buckled up correctly for every ride. But there are other dangers in and around vehicles that parents and caregivers need to be aware of to keep children protected.

Many children are killed or injured in backover incidents, or due to heatstroke when left unattended in a hot car, and to other dangers that can occur when children are left unattended around vehicles.

Many newer vehicles come equipped with technologies to help parents and children avoid some of these dangerous situations. However, there will never be a substitute for an attentive parent or caregiver. The best defense against many of these dangers is to never allow children in and around vehicles when unattended and always keep vehicles locked and the keys out of the reach of children.

636 Children have died since 1998 due to heatstroke after being left in a hot vehicle

210 fatalities per year caused by backover crashes

15,000 injuries per year caused by backover crashes

31% of all backover fatalities annually are children under 5

1,000 estimated annual injuries by vehicle power windows

For more information, visit:
www.SAFERCAR.gov/parents/InAndAroundTheCar/InAndAroundTheCar.htm

Written on Wednesday, August 19, 2015 by Permalink |