Cars can be dangerous machines for children to be around because of their immense size and power. You may be surprised to learn that many of the accidents involving cars and kids have nothing to do with collisions or crashes. Rather, the majority of accidents happen in our own driveways or neighborhoods because of subtle hazards that we often overlook.

With countless buttons that can be pushed, it is easy to see why young children would be intrigued with a car. One of the most dangerous safety hazards present for young children in cars are power windows. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an average of five children ages 14 and younger are killed by power windows every year. The agency also estimated that approximately 1,000 children are injured by power windows every year.

The term "power windows" is an appropriate description for how powerful the automatic windows in the car can be. Power windows can exert an upward force of 30-80 pounds. This is more than enough power to raise the window and can be deadly for young children who get in the way. Some of the most common power window injuries that children suffer include the accidental amputation of fingers and suffocation leading to brain injury. The NHTSA also estimates that 2,000 people are treated in emergency rooms every year for injuries related to power windows. Around 68% of incidents involving power windows result in fractures or crushed body parts, and other injuries include dislocation, bruising, laceration and strains or sprains.

As of October 2010, all automakers have been required to equip vehicles with "pull up/push down" switches to make a window less likely to be accidentally closed. This technology was created to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities that occur when children put their heads and/or arms outside the window and accidentally lean or step on the window switch to close the power window. In some cases, adults have unknowingly trapped a child when closing a window. Safety advocates in the United States say that pull/push switches, also called lever switches, are safer and less likely to be unintentionally activated. Automakers also have the option of equipping cars with automatic reversing systems (ARS) which stop a window if an obstruction is detected. This technology costs around $6 per vehicle and is similar to the systems used in garage doors and elevators.

The law does not currently mandate the use of ARS technology, and cars produced by American manufacturers and sold in the U.S. do not typically have this safety feature included. Half of the cars sold in the U.S. by Chrysler, Ford and GM do not come equipped with ARS even though the majority of cars in Europe do. In fact, ARS technology is considered standard safety equipment for cars that are made in America and exported to Europe. Unlike American vehicles, European cars usually contain an auto- reverse mechanism in power windows that engages if the window hits an obstruction while it is closing.

Here in the United States, parents and caregivers must be aware of the hazard that power windows present. The majority of documented power window accidents happen because children were left inside a vehicle without adult supervision. Parents must teach kids about vehicle safety and the danger of playing with power windows. Using the safety technology that is included, such as the window lock switch, can also help to deter power window accidents. In summary, have children wear their seatbelts correctly or make sure they are safely positioned in a correctly installed car seat, and teach them to never play with the window switches.