Vehicles today come with a lot of bells and whistles. Some features keep
you and your children safer – backup cameras, side airbags, collision
detectors. However, one feature that still poses a risk to your children
is the power window.
Although convenient, most power windows do not include a safety feature that automatically reverses the window if an obstruction, such as a child’s hand or head is in the way. Some power windows are designed with levers that must be lifted to reduce the risk of a child accidentally depressing the switch while looking out the window, but power windows still pose a serious risk to children. About 1,000 children are treated in emergency rooms each year for injuries related to power windows.
Protect your child with these tips:
- Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle. Accidents can happen in a second.
- Check your type of window switch. Cars built after 2010 will have the safer lever switches. Older cars may have rocker or toggle switches.
- Teach your children to never play in and around vehicles. They should learn early that the family car is not a toy.
- Use child safety locks. Most vehicles have the capability to allow only the driver to control the windows.
- Look before you roll up. Many accidents occur even when the driver is operating the windows. Make sure to check that all windows are clear before you engage the rollup switch.
At The Gilbert Law Group®, our attorneys represent clients nationwide who have lost a child or had a child seriously injured in an accident. If your child has suffered severe injuries, please call our experienced child injury lawyers at (303) 431-1111 for your free consultation.
