Kids and Car Safety offers advice after Shenandoah Valley toddler dies in accident

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- While Virginia State Police (VSP) is investigating how an 18-month-old was hit and killed by a car in an Augusta County driveway last weekend, Kids and Car Safety is sounding the alarm and stressing that these auto accidents are preventable.

It can happen to anyone -- the Virginia Department of Health said hundreds of kids in Virginia die from car crashes and other unintentional collisions each year.

"Over 100 times every week in our country, a child is hit by a car in a driveway or parking lot. These are very dangerous areas for children," said Kids and Car Safety Director Amber Rollins.

The statistic is sobering, and unfortunately, one of the latest incidents happened when a toddler -- no older than two -- was hit in the driveway.

Though Rollins said lots of tragedies happen when cars drive over a few feet in the driveway, people can prevent another incident by looking out for blind zones -- extending at least 50 feet -- first and foremost.

Though not 100% foolproof, backup cameras on most new vehicles can help.

"What we know is you can't avoid hitting what you can't see. So, if your vehicle doesn't have a camera system that allows you to see that area directly around your vehicle, this is a major safety concern for you," Rollins said.

Parents can also safeguard the home, in case their little one goes wandering. Consider putting in doorknob covers -- where certain areas have to be pushed to open the door -- and a door chime.

"That not only protects them from opening that door, but then also it gives that second layer of protection. So, if they do figure out how to open it, you're going to get that audio chime as a warning," Rollins said. "Do not be that person who thinks that this only happens to other people because it can happen to even the most careful, attentive family."