Children will play anywhere, including around vehicles. Whether in gear or parked, knowing the possible dangers a motor-vehicle poses for your child can help you keep your child safe. Courtesy of Safercar.gov, the following are some hazards you should always have in the back of your mind.
- Heatstroke – Vehicles are like greenhouses, they heat up quickly regardless of the weather conditions. Never, ever leave a child unsupervised in a vehicle, no matter how short the trip is or what the weather is like. For children 13 years and heating is the second leading cause of vehicle-related deaths behind only collisions. Don’t take the risk.
- Backover – Hitting or running over a child while backing up your vehicle can cause serious injury or death. Check around your vehicle before backing out to ensure your children are in a safe place, and teach them from an early age that they are not to play around vehicles.
- Seat Belt Entanglement – Children play with anything they can get their hands on, including seatbelts. This can lead to the seatbelt wrapping around their neck or head and posing a strangulation danger. Always ensure your children are properly restrained and all unused seatbelts are buckled and locked. Remind your children often that seatbelts are not toys.
- Rollaway – Leaving the keys in the ignition or the engine running while your child is in the vehicle is a serious risk for rollaway as they could accidently put the vehicle into gear.
Oftentimes, it is simple common sense that can save lives. Know the risks involved when your child is around a vehicle and take steps to eliminate them. You will be glad that you did.
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