Last year, July 4 was the weekend with the most fatalities in frontal and rear-end crashes

We remind parents to keep a watchful eye on their children, especially over the next few days, as many of you will be welcoming family and friends to celebrate our country’s independence.

Last year, July 4 was the holiday weekend with the most fatalities in rear-end and frontal crashes, according to data from Kids and Car Safety.

In a large crowd, it can easily happen that a child sneaks away unnoticed, and adults are more likely to be distracted.

Children aged five and under are at greatest risk of being hit by a car.

Remember that every vehicle has blind spots where drivers may not see a small child, even if it has a backup camera. Keep in mind that these blind spots are larger in trucks and SUVs.

In an SUV, a child can be hidden from the driver up to 15 feet in front of the vehicle and up to 50 feet behind it. It can also be difficult to see them on the sides.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 60% of rear-end crashes in 2018 involved trucks, vans or SUVs, and more than 75% of frontal crashes involved larger vehicles.

If you’re hosting a party at your home or going to a large event on Thursday, there are a few ways to keep kids safe.

First, make sure there is always an adult there to supervise the children.

And when traveling near cars, always carry toddlers or use strollers to prevent your child from running away unexpectedly.

And to all drivers: pay close attention. Walk around your car for a few seconds before getting in. Roll down the windows so you can hear everything that’s happening outside your car and avoid all distractions: put your phone away and wait until you can adjust the radio or air conditioning.

And consider having another adult watch you as you start driving so they can signal you to stop if a child is nearby.