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Website helps to avoid accidents with children and vehicles

By PAT BAILEY

A not-for-profit agency in Kansas City that specializes in private property, non traffic accidents heard of the tragedy in Verona. The website is called kidsandcars.org.

The website is filled with information on how to protect children and ways to make vehicles safer around the home. The organization's founder says 50 kids per week are accidentally backed over. Of those children treated in hospital rooms, and at least two die every week.

Janette Fennell says in most cases parents are in fact looking out for their children, but small kids and their quick curiosity is sometimes what gets them in trouble.

"Another thing they are very confused by is the fact, well they can see the car and they can see the driver but they don't have the cognitive ability to understand the driver can't see them," she adds.

Fennell says the best way to avoid this situation is with new technology. These devices include back-up cameras or sensors in the back of your vehicle that will alert you when you are too close to something.

Some of the back-up cameras systems have an extra alert system. Not only can you look at the camera to see what your backing into but in case you do not see something, you will also start hearing a beep.

Fennell also says, "I would encourage anyone, if they can afford it to go out and get some of this technology added to their vehicle. If you just look at what your deductible is for your car insurance, we want people to save lives but it can prevent you from hitting a pole a garbage can or your kid's bike."

Back-up cameras can be found at most any automotive stores, and are in some cases less than $100.
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