We’re reminding parents to keep a close eye on their children, especially during the next few days as many of you welcome family and friends to celebrate our country’s independence.
Last year, the Fourth of July was the deadliest holiday weekend for children killed in backover and frontover crashes, according to data from Kids and Car Safety.
During a large gathering, it can be easy for a child to slip away without you noticing, and adults are more likely to be distracted.
Children 5 and younger are the most at risk of being hit by a car.
Remember, every vehicle has blind spots where drivers might not see a small child, even if it has a backup camera. Keep in mind that these blind spots are larger in trucks and SUVs.
In an SUV, a child may be hidden from a driver up to 15 feet in front of the vehicle and up to 50 feet behind. It may also be difficult to see them along the sides.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2018, more than 60 % of backovers involved a truck, van or SUV and more than 75% of frontovers involved a larger vehicle.
If you’re planning to host a celebration at your home or are going to a large gathering on Thursday, there are a few ways to keep kids safe.
First. make sure an adult is designated to watch the kids at all times.
And when you’re walking near cars, always carry toddlers, or use strollers, so your child doesn’t run off unexpectedly.
And for drivers, make sure to pay attention. Take a few seconds to walk around your car before getting in. Roll down your windows so you can hear anything going on outside your car, and eliminate all distractions: Put away your phone and wait to adjust the radio or the air conditioning.
And consider having another adult watch as you pull away. so they can signal you to stop if a child is nearby.