Safe in 60: Child Proof Your Car
Jul 16, 2018, 7:00 AM | Updated: 9:48 am
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — The leading cause of death in children is injuries and number one on that list involves vehicles.
The most important thing you can do to ensure the safety of your child in the vehicle is obviously to make sure he or she is buckled up correctly. But there are other dangers in your vehicle that you might not think about.
POWER WINDOWS
Power windows can produce force up to 80 pounds. Always keep them locked when children are in the vehicle.
Look at the design of the levers: most newer vehicles require a ‘pulling up’ motion to roll the window up – that’s safer for children.
Check if your vehicle has ‘anti-pinch’ or ‘auto reversing’ windows; many newer vehicles do. That’s more insurance your child won’t get their neck or limb caught in the window.
SHIFTING INTO GEAR
Small children can set a car in motion easier than you might think. That’s another reason not to leave a child in a car unattended.
Vehicles newer than 2010 require pressure on the break to shift the car into drive. That extra precaution doesn’t mean a child won’t manage to shift into gear accidentally.
LOCK THE DOORS
Whether your car is in the driveway or garage – always keep it locked.
Children are curious and sometimes play hide and seek. A locked car prevents them from from playing in a hot car or even a trunk and getting hurt or trapped.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Utah Department of Public Safety websites have a lot of helpful information and resources available.
Click here for additional Safe in 60 reports.