FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 2, 2024

CONTACT

Amber Rollins, Kids and Car Safety, 913-205-6973

Beyond Fireworks: Prevent Backovers and Frontovers During July 4th Celebrations, Urges Kids and Car Safety

As families across the nation prepare to celebrate the July 4th holiday weekend with fireworks and festivities, Kids and Car Safety (KACS) is reminding adults to be extra vigilant to prevent backovers and frontovers.

According to data documented by Kids and Car Safety, July 4th was the deadliest holiday weekend in 2023 for children in terms of nontraffic fatalities. Last year, at least four child fatalities occurred due to backovers and frontovers during the July 4th weekend. 

Every year, thousands of children are hurt or killed in driveways and parking lots. Backovers and frontovers, where children are injured or killed by vehicles because the driver couldn't see them, are preventable. Children age 5 and younger are the most at risk due to their small size, impulsive nature and little understanding of danger.

Frontovers and other pedestrian deaths have grown significantly due to changes in vehicle designs and the popularity of large trucks and SUVs, which have larger blindzones. Every vehicle has a blindzone where small children cannot be seen by the driver. Most drivers have no idea that a child could be standing directly in front of their vehicle and not be seen by the driver.

“During celebrations, it can be very easy for a child to slip away undetected and for adults to become distracted. These situations can lead to a number of tragedies like drowning, a child being run over because the driver couldn’t see them, a child getting into a parked car on their own and becoming trapped, firework related injuries and more. Every year during holiday weekends like the Fourth of July, we see an increase in the number of children run over and killed. Now is the time to bring awareness and safety tips to the public so that families can remain whole and children can celebrate safely,” said Amber Rollins, Director of Kids and Car Safety.

Kids and Car Safety is urging families to follow a few important safety tips:

1. Ensure children are directly supervised by a responsible adult at all times. Be especially cautious at gatherings as it is easy to become distracted with a lot of people around and tragedies can happen very quickly. 
2. Install childproof door knob covers on all outside doors of the home and pair them with stick-on door alarms to be alerted if a child attempts to sneak out of the house.
3. Secure fence gates so young children cannot exit on their own.
4. Ensure children are directly and actively supervised any time you are nearby where parked vehicles may start moving.
5. Always carry toddlers or use strollers or shopping carts in parking lots or near vehicles, as children under age 5 are the most at-risk for frontover and backovers.
6. Be aware that every vehicle has blindzones in front, on the sides, and behind it, where small children cannot be seen by the driver, even when using mirrors correctly. 
7. Never leave a child alone inside a vehicle, not even for a minute. 
8. Keep vehicles locked and keys/fobs out of reach of children at all times.
9. Teach children it is never safe to enter a vehicle without an adult.
10. If a child goes missing, check the inside, floor board and trunk of all vehicles in the area immediately even if they are locked. 

Remember, during the July 4th holiday weekend, when families gather for celebrations and activities, the risk of backovers and frontovers is heightened. Kids and Car Safety emphasizes the importance of remaining vigilant and implementing preventive measures to protect children from these preventable accidents.

For more information, safety tips, charts, statistics, and child stories about frontovers and backovers, please see the links below or contact us for interviews.

Frontover Educational Videos:

Frontovers and Driveway Safety

Parking Lot Safety (15 seconds)

Frontovers and Parking Lot Safety

Backover Educational Videos:

Driveway Backing Dangers

62 Children Behind SUV, Driver Can't See Any of Them

Backovers and Parking Lot Safety

Frontover Resources:

Frontover Facts

Backover Resources:

Backover Facts

Memes charts, graphics, child stories, and other frontover resources https://www.kidsandcars.org/frontovers/charts-data-and-visuals 

Memes charts, graphics, child stories, and other backover resources https://www.kidsandcars.org/backovers/charts-data-visuals 

Kids and Car Safety is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to keeping young children and pets safe in and around vehicles.

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