Top tips for keeping kids safe around cars
Fish and chips, Vegemite and cheese, Ross and Chandler, gin and tonic - while some things work well together, others, like kids and cars, don’t.In fact, in Australia, land transport deaths which include being a passenger or driver of a car, a pedestrian or a cyclist, are one of the most common causes of injury or death for children aged 0-14.
Kidsafe Australia says the main factors that put kids, particularly at risk of transport-related injury or death are their height, brain development and experience with traffic which makes them more vulnerable physically and not always able to make safe judgements and decisions.
While many of these tragic incidents occur on roads, a large percentage also happen at home.
“On average, seven children aged 0-14 are killed in driveway or low-speed vehicle accidents in Australia each year and nearly 60 are seriously injured,” explains Kidsafe.
And unfortunately, those figures are increasing every year. So how can you help keep your children safe around cars? Kidsafe offers the following tips:
Be wary of your vehicle’s blind spot
Every vehicle has a blind spot, sometimes this blind spot can extend to the length of 15 meters behind the vehicle depending on the model, in which a small child may not be seen.
Driveways aren’t a playground
Driveway tragedies can be avoided if we consider them as an extension of the road so keeping children’s play areas away from the driveway is important.
Hold their hands
If a vehicle needs to be moved make sure you know where your little ones are at all times, ideally holding hands with another adult. If you can’t do this, put them in the car with you.
Walk around the vehicle first
It’s always a good idea to walk around the vehicle before getting in to make sure no one is around the car. This is also a warning for parents/carers when visiting car parks, remember drivers often cannot see a small child from their vehicles, particularly when reversing.
Car parks, other public areas, or even walking to school can also be potentially dangerous for children. Kidsafe believes that empowering kids with the knowledge of being a safe pedestrian is an essential step in helping prevent incidents from occurring. And this begins with you.
Parents and carers need to be good role models
Explain the road rules to children and supervise children when near traffic and hold their hand, especially when crossing the road.
Teach children to use the ‘safety door’ to get in and out of cars
Exiting the car on the passenger side means that both you and your little ones are away from traffic and on the kerbside of the vehicle.
Teach children to use the footpath but to be aware of cars when crossing a driveway
This advice is not only for pedestrians but also for kids who are riding bikes, scooters or using skateboards and rollerskates.
Teach children to “Stop, Look, Listen and Think” before crossing the road and make sure to explain what this means
For example:
Stop - this can take longer when you are moving fast.
Look - all around and for all types of road users.
Listen - for sounds like engines, sirens, instructions from carers or crossing guards.
Think – ask yourself, is it safe to cross?
Discuss general road and pedestrian safety with your kids
Teach children about safe places to cross the road including pedestrian crossings and traffic lights as well as about signs and explain what they mean.
Make sure children wear clothes that are easy to see when out and about
Because of their small size, it's often difficult for drivers to see them so bright clothing can help make them more visible.
Related: Children and car safety: Everything you should know
Related: Six things parents need to know about child car seats
Related: Five affordable new cars that’ll make you stand out at school drop-off and pick-up
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