Latest News Driveway Run Over Kit to help prevent children’s injuries
26 January 2015
In 2014 seven children died in New Zealand as a result of a driveway run over injury. Kidsafe Taranaki Trust is encouraging Taranaki families to be vigilant about driveway safety this year and has a practical tool community groups can use to help share this important message.
The Driveway Run Over Kit aims to help raise awareness of the human, environmental and vehicle design factors that contribute to child driveway run over injuries. The kit is available for loan free-of-charge from the Taranaki DHB, a founding member of the Kidsafe Taranaki Trust.
Kidsafe Taranaki Trust Co-ordinator and Taranaki DHB Health Promoter Eloise Pollard said, “Thankfully driveway run over injuries are extremely rare in Taranaki, however all parents and caregivers should be thinking about driveway safety. The kit is an excellent practical way to get them to do this.”
“Drivers should always know where the kids are before getting in the car - there's no going back. The kit emphasises three key messages: CHECK for children before driving off, SUPERVISE children around vehicles – always, and SEPARATE play areas from driveways.”
Nationally, every two weeks a child is hospitalised with serious injuries received from a vehicle on a private driveway.
“Most children injured in driveway incidents are toddlers, aged about two years old and when death does not occur, the injuries they receive are often severe. The driver is usually a close family member. The devastating impact of these events upon families cannot be overstated,” added Ms Pollard.
The Driveway Run Over Kit is made up of a 10-metre long mat at the rear of car and a three-metre long mat at front, life-size toddler figurines and an instruction booklet. Participants sit in the driver’s seat of the car and check their vision in front and behind the vehicle.
The Kit was developed and supplied by Safekids Aotearoa.
To borrow the Driveway Run Over Kit please contact:
Sharon Parker
Resource Coordinator
Public Health Unit
Taranaki DHB
Phone: (06) 753 7777 extension 8862
Email: sharon.parker@tdhb.org.nz
About Kidsafe Taranaki Trust
Kidsafe Taranaki Trust is a local child safety coalition group involving the Taranaki DHB Public Health Unit, Paediatrics Department and Public Health Nursing Department, as well as ACC, Plunket, Tui Ora, the Police and community volunteers.
For more information
See: www.facebook.com/KidsafeTaranaki
Or contact:
Eloise Pollard
Health Promoter
Public Health Unit
Taranaki DHB
Phone: (06) 753 7777 extension 8510
Email: eloise.pollard@tdhb.org.nz
Last updated: Monday, January 26, 2015