Dear Parents,

Just this morning (12/3/2010) on the Today Show a scary statistic was mentioned: 38 children are injured and 2 die EACH WEEK by backing vehicles.

We all know how crowded parking lots become during holiday shopping. It is also very dangerous. Here are a few tips for getting through the holiday madness without a ding dang and a dong on your vehicle or an injury to someone:

Always signal when pulling in AND out of a parking space.

A flashing light is a lot more visible than a steady white light. It will help you get noticed by those whom you may not be able to see.

Try to back into a parking space not out.

Backing is always dangerous because your visibility is very limited.

ü     Do not pull through from one parking space to another.

It is actually illegal! Moreover it is very dangerous to pull through if there are vehicles adjacent to the spot you want blocking your view. If you can’t see other vehicles that may possibly want that spot they can’t see you.

ü     When backing always turn around and look back rather than just use your mirrors.

All vehicles have blind spots. You may not be able to see vehicles that may be backing at the same time directly behind you especially if you drive an SUV or pickup truck. You will not be able to see vehicles or pedestrians coming from the side either.

ü     Before you start backing or pulling out of a space always make sure that the vehicles next to you and behind/in front of you are not doing the same thing.

Check to see if there are passengers/drivers in the vehicles next to you as they may open their doors to get out.

ü     Always look in the mirror and over your shoulder before you open your door.

There is a big blind spot on the side of your vehicle. If you don’t look back you may not see a vehicle pulling into a spot next to you or pedestrians walking by.

ü     Always treat parking lots like streets. Keep to the right and do not crisscross through the parking spaces.

Because most parking lots are not police patrolled many drivers choose to drive arbitrarily wherever they feel like. This poses a unique danger – unpredictability. The more predictable our actions are the easier it is for others (especially ones we can’t see) to avoid colliding with us.

ü     Drive slowly. The more vehicles there are and the more activity there is in the area the slower you should go.

The lack of visibility in a parking lot and the proximity of potential dangers make for an inherently unsafe environment. Always drive slower when there is too much going on around and expect other vehicles to pull/back out or pedestrians and children to run out from behind other vehicles. Oh, and watch out for those runaway shopping carts.

ü     When parked up a hill, always walk around a vehicle on the up side.

Keep yourself and your children safe. You never know if a vehicle has a parking brake applied or if the transmission may slip. Keeping yourself on the up side will help avoid getting run over if the parked vehicle starts rolling down.

ü     Don’t be lazy. Always use your parking/emergency brake especially when parked up or down a hill (even a small one).

When a vehicle is put in parking the transmission keeps it stationary. The transmission may slip and your vehicle may start rolling down a hill. Putting your emergency/parking brake on can help if someone (especially a child) puts the car in gear by accident. It can also help extend the life of your transmission.

ü     Park only in designated spaces

The parking lot is designed to keep the traffic flowing. If you park in a space not designated for parking you may impede traffic and may block visibility

ü     No idling

Protect our environment and the health of our children. We do not need to breathe your exhaust fumes.

ü     No leaving children unattended in a vehicle

It is illegal! Just because you are in ‘private’ parking lot it does not exempt you from the law. Please, bring your children with you.

ü     Do not text or talk on your phone while walking through parking lots.

Because visibility is limited and there is a lot going on in a parking lot being distracted will prevent you from seeing potential dangers.

v    Do not let children open their own door.

Kids are kids. They may run out of the vehicle without looking and they will have not checked for vehicles and pedestrians on the side of the vehicle.

v    Do not allow your children to play around in parking lots.

It is very important for them to learn at an early age to distinguish areas where it is safe to play and areas where they have to be attentive and listen to you

v    Kids need to learn to listen for running engines, look for backing lights and for drivers in vehicles.

It is never too early to learn about safety. You never know if taught properly when they might save you.

v    FREEZE!!!

Learn to use the word “Freeze” in emergencies. We tell our children to “stop” all the time and often they just tune us out. Reserve the word “freeze” for emergencies so that they may respond instantaneously

v    Lead by example.

Kids learn from what you do more than what you say.