Child safety program aims to reach parents worldwide


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SALT LAKE CITY — A decade ago, 10 Utah children were killed in one year when they were run over by cars or trucks close to home. The following year, Primary Children's Hospital launched a program aimed at saving more of those kids.

"Every single one of us has to do our part and be diligent in protecting all children," said Janet Brooks, the child safety advocacy manager at Primary Children's Hospital.

Brooks developed the program known as Spot the Tot, and it's made a difference, she said. But, all must stay vigilant.

That's why the hospital gives away Spot the Tot stickers to be placed on the driver's side window, right above the handle. It's a reminder every time the driver gets behind the wheel: Be certain the area around the vehicle is clear of children.

"It happens on average once every week," said Brooks, and that's just in Utah. Every six days a Utah child is run over in a driveway or parking lot. Four or five of them die every year, and that's what Utah has witnessed so far this year.

"Ninety-six percent of these fatalities are children five and under," she said.

Spot the Tot stickers
If you're interested in obtaining Spot the Tot stickers for your vehicle, call 801-662-6580 or visit Primary Children's Hospital's website

Brooks developed the Spot the Tot program in 2005. A couple of years later, it went nationwide. Now, more than 15 foreign countries have adopted the program. Brooks regularly gets calls from states and countries looking for more safety tips on the issue.

"These younger toddlers don't sense any danger," she said. "They don't realize what can happen with a big vehicle."

Spot the Tot shares several steps to prevent driving backovers.

Before you even get in the car, do a quick walk around to make sure there are not any kids in harm's way. Know where kids are when a driver is leaving, and teach them not to play around your vehicles.

Brooks demonstrated how the blind zone behind a car, SUV or truck extends well behind the vehicle. When a child is 16 feet behind an SUV, the driver cannot spot the child.

The rear backup camera in many new cars is a great tool to help spot children and obstacles. But, Brooks said, don't rely on that alone. The camera can't catch every angle, and kids move very quickly.

From 1990 to 2012, 52 Utah children were killed in backovers. Nationally, from 2006 to 2010, 806 children were killed.

Before 2000, Brooks said there were fewer fatalities.

"Why? Do you think it's the distractions, the talking on the cellphone, multi-tasking?" she asked. There are more big vehicles on the road, too.

"The largest number of fatalities occur with pickup trucks," the safety advocate said.

The best advice is to be patient and focus on spotting the tot every time we get in the car.

"We just need to reach every family," she said.

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Jed Boal

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