Power Windows are a Threat to Kids

October Monthly Column

"POWER WINDOWS ARE A THREAT TO KIDS"

U.S. SENATOR MIKE DEWINE

Children and power windows are a potentially dangerous combination. Far too many children are being seriously injured or killed each year when they get caught in power windows after accidentally triggering the window switch.

A study by the child safety advocacy group, Kids and Cars, found that seven children were killed in a 68-day period earlier this year in power window accidents. These accidents are a problem we cannot ignore-one death is too many.

I was recently in Columbus with Dr. Jeffrey Runge, administrator of the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), when he announced a new regulation that will improve child safety and ultimately save lives. The rule will make power window switches safer for children by prohibiting non-recessed "rocker" or "toggle" switches that can be activated by a small child playing in the car. Most manufacturers are expected to comply with the new rule through the use of recessed switches that must be lifted to close the window.

Power windows are a potential danger to small children all of the time, however, the rule singles out the one time when a car's design is the single deciding factor between life and death. The regulation focuses on preventing injuries and death when children are most vulnerable-when they are unattended in the car.

The safe switch mandate is sound and it is affordable. In most cases, it will not add one cent to the cost of a motor vehicle.
This is the kind of safety policy that is a no-brainer.

Safe window switches are a clear step in the right direction, but this is just one step. We need to do more to address other kinds of "non-traffic, non-crash" accidents. My amendment in the highway bill will help us do this by creating, for the first time, a program to collect data on accidents, such as backover deaths.

In addition to my work in keeping our children safe from automobile accidents, Kids and Cars offers the following tips for parents:

•Never leave children unattended in or around motor vehicles.

• If your vehicle has a child lock feature for the power windows, use it.

• When shopping for a car, be wary of rocker or toggle switches. If they are present, make sure they are not mounted on the armrests.

• Ask if the vehicle has auto reverse or other safeguards to prevent entrapment.

Although traffic accidents are a leading cause of death and injury of young children, non-crash accidents are also a threat to their health and safety. For more information about protecting your child from non-crash automobile accidents, visit www.kidsandcars.org.