Driveway Safety
Kids love to play in driveways. They also love cars, and when they see a parked car they don’t even think about the possibility of getting hurt or seriously injured. That’s why parents have to. Many preventable injuries and deaths occur in driveways or parking lots when drivers are unaware that children are near vehicles. Tragically, these drivers are often family members or friends of the injured child. But these injuries are easily prevented by following a few simple tips.
Info on Driveway Safety
Each year, more than 9,000 children are treated in emergency rooms for injuries that occurred while they were unattended in or around motor vehicles. Many of these preventable injuries occur when drivers are unaware of children near vehicles.
Top Tips
- We know you’re often in a hurry, but before you drive away, take a few seconds to walk all the way around your parked car to check for children.
- Designate a safe spot for children to wait when nearby vehicles are about to move and make sure the drivers can see them.
- Accompany little kids when they get in and out of a vehicle. Hold their hands while walking near moving vehicles or in driveways and parking lots or on sidewalks.
Learn More
Making the space in and around your car safe for kids requires a few more steps. Learn more about how to protect your kids from heatstroke in cars or getting trapped in the trunk. Also check out more tips below on how to keep your driveway safe.
Driveway Safety Tips
Check Your Car and Driveway for Kids
- Before you get in your car, take a few seconds to walk all the way around your parked car to check for children.
- When checking for kids around your vehicle, see if anything that could attract a child such as a pet, bike or toy, is under or behind your vehicle before getting in and starting the engine.
- Designate an adult to supervise and find a safe spot for children to wait when nearby vehicles are about to move and make sure the drivers can see them.
Limit Play in the Driveway
- Work with your kids to pick up toys, bikes, chalk or any type of equipment around the driveway so that these items don’t entice kids to play.
- Identify and use safe play areas for children, away from parked or moving vehicles. Teach kids to play in these areas instead of in, around or behind a car. Consider making your driveway a toy-free zone.
- Don’t allow children to play unattended in parking lots when cars are present.
Lend a Hand to Younger Kids
- Accompany little kids when they get in and out of a vehicle. Hold their hands while walking near moving vehicles or in driveways and parking lots or on sidewalks.