tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post6734980780160016970..comments2024-02-02T07:13:37.313-06:00Comments on Like Merchant Ships: Keeping driveways safeUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-21491028827159920162008-05-28T08:53:00.000-05:002008-05-28T08:53:00.000-05:00I went to college with Steven C. Chapman's brother...I went to college with Steven C. Chapman's brother and Steve would come up on weekends and we'd all go out to eat. I was a big groupie back then watching the two good-looking brothers sing in Nashville's theme park Opryland and touring Gatlinburg, etc....so my heart really broke for that family and I don't know how but God alone...they will heal. I read where the other siblings saw the whole accident.ShabbyInTheCityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14091272622098491527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-89666112129060992832008-05-23T12:24:00.000-05:002008-05-23T12:24:00.000-05:00I tried to talk to Aaron (DH) about this last nigh...I tried to talk to Aaron (DH) about this last night. Liam isn't big enough to play outside unattended yet, but 9 months has come and gone quicker than I could have imagined! Right now, we live in an apartment with walk-up entry - there are 3 apartments to a small parking lot, and there is a ton of grass and space for the kiddos who live in the surrounding buildings to play. More than once, DH or I have come flying up the driveway to our side of the building, only to narrowly miss a neighbor from another building's kid playing, UNATTENDED, in our lot. And the best part is the 'Mom' feels the need to come holler at me when this happens - no way, lady. Watch your kid! <BR/><BR/>I'm not overly concerned about safety where we are at now - we have plans to buy a home within the year (hopefully!), but this got me to thinking about when we do move into that home - how should we safety proof it? Accidents happen, even to the most conscientious of parents, but we always had a strict rule of no one leaving the house if the kids weren't accounted for (whether in the yard or home). We did 'roll call', and my mother always told me that my grandma taught her that NOTHING necessitates such a rush that you can't stop, count your kids, and then go. And my grandma had 7 kids....<BR/><BR/>I guess safety measures one takes all depend on where you live, and whether you're in a subdivision or not....sounds like you're in one like my folks, Meredith. No fences, gates, etc. The kids here play in the street all the time, and it is rather annoying - I know many folks live on a river here and don't have much of a front yard, but honestly...the street IS NOT a place to play. One lady down the road has these bright green 'people' with big long flags that she puts out that say "Watch for children". But she doesn't supervise her kiddos...<BR/><BR/>I'm going to talk to my folks about this when they get home - we spend a ton of time here and honestly, they have a scary driveway. There's a 90 degree curve with trees on both sides. You don't even see the house until you get up to the garage! UPS and FedEx HAVE to pull in. I think that the fencing idea with two or three bright flags attached for when the children are playing is a good idea. <BR/><BR/>And frankly, if a UPS/FedEx driver came flying up my driveway, I'd probably feel compelled to call their district and gripe. All that work, creating, carrying, and raising a baby, just for someone to be rushing? No thanks...I'll err on the side of overprotective. <BR/><BR/>Sorry for the random vent, but it is sad that a famous person's child had to die to get other folks to take their own seriously, and use common sense. Since it is getting to be summer, everyone also needs to think about pool safety as well. Please teach your children about how dangerous the water can be, and get them enrolled in lessons to help them! <BR/><BR/>*sigh* Off my soapbox....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-86882124497981273022008-05-23T10:54:00.000-05:002008-05-23T10:54:00.000-05:00I am also grieving and praying for the Chapman fam...I am also grieving and praying for the Chapman family. Bless you, Meredith, for being so vigilant about your children's safety. My son is a little older and is now out and about on his bike on the road in front of our house. I am planning to buy those orange "CAUTION! Children AT Play" signs tomorrow.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-62309070765308433252008-05-23T09:15:00.000-05:002008-05-23T09:15:00.000-05:00We have one of those little neon green guys with a...We have one of those little neon green guys with a waving orange flag that says "Slow Down." We put it half way up the driveway ONLY WHEN THE CHILDREN ARE OUTSIDE PLAYING - that way visitors and delivery trucks don't get used to it and just ignore it. I've asked visitors and delivery persons what they thought of it and they all tell me the same thing - "Thank you for putting it out, I'm alerted and more careful." I've watched the UPS man count to be sure that he saw all the children before moving ahead or backwards.barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09939700227013533301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-7291340737294108422008-05-23T08:47:00.000-05:002008-05-23T08:47:00.000-05:00I have since heard this morning that the Chapman's...I have since heard this morning that the Chapman's son WAS backing out of the driving rather than pulling in, as I had heard and shared earlier. I'm not sure which story is right but didn't want to pass on incorrect information. Thanks!Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07295771924438697987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-52922965569915479092008-05-23T07:59:00.000-05:002008-05-23T07:59:00.000-05:00I think I am going to get some orange cones today ...I think I am going to get some orange cones today from the hardware store (I hope they have them there - I've never looked).<BR/><BR/>We have workmen in our driveway all the time. I think it will also remind me to be more vigilant - I have a large SUV and 4 small children - and 5 small children next door who are always comingling b/w the yard. VERY scary.The Frugal Countesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06419043115480509645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-10936761840025361662008-05-23T07:34:00.000-05:002008-05-23T07:34:00.000-05:00While it hard to process, God does have a perfect ...While it hard to process, God does have a perfect plan for each of us. No matter how safe you think your children are, there is always something somewhere that cannot be prevented, even if we are right there.<BR/><BR/>i am not saying that we should not try and do everything in our power to keep them safe, we should. But, God took Maria because it was his perfect plan. <BR/><BR/>Please check out this link. Rick (of the Rick and Bubba show) and Sherri Burgess lost their son to a tragic drowning accident January 19th at their home. Sometimes you think you have taken all of the precautions and done all you know and you have. Sometimes it just isn't enough....HE (the Lord) is still in charge. Rick and Sherri are the parents of 5 children. Please listen to his message. I don't think I am this strong....I could not imagine. So powerful....... http://rickandbubba.com/bronner.html.<BR/><BR/><BR/>I commend you Meredith on your idea. Whatever works. Our driveway is over 600 feet long, but leads straight to a U.S. highway. <BR/><BR/>Maybe the kiddos could play in the back yard? Just a thought.....<BR/><BR/>I love your blog. You are so creative. Keep up the great work! Blessings!!!!Marvahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05794915425864527938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-65777025887251345352008-05-23T06:20:00.000-05:002008-05-23T06:20:00.000-05:00Thanks for the reminder. We are hoping to pave our...Thanks for the reminder. We are hoping to pave our drive at some point and I know the kids will be riding their bikes and skating on it all the time. I fully intend to do the bright yellow retractable gate thingie. I agree with your rule- all kids inside when people are leaving or when you are expecting a visitor.Lydiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05528794115926285427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-2682198365505392692008-05-23T00:04:00.000-05:002008-05-23T00:04:00.000-05:00We have a sport court in the back yard where we pl...We have a sport court in the back yard where we play 99% of the time; with a locking gate to the front yard. When we bought the house I didn't appreciate it as fully as I do now!3boysmamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04681527386218906722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-22001703925342784402008-05-22T23:21:00.000-05:002008-05-22T23:21:00.000-05:00I have two acquaintances who lost small children t...I have two acquaintances who lost small children this way. One was just unloading groceries but didn't put on the emergency brake--it rolled over one child at the hands of another. A horrible accident.<BR/><BR/>So...<BR/><BR/>From the time my children could understand anything at all, I've taught them to walk around a car on the uphill side. Now, at 5 and 8, they call me on it if they catch me move around the downhill side! Every time. <BR/><BR/>And because it's not worth it, my kids never, ever, ever play around parked cars. I'm so mean that way, but mine must play in the grass. (Or dirt.) :) <BR/><BR/>And as often as is possible, we back *into* our spots so as to never need to back out to leave. Especially at places like church when leaving is going to be chaotic.Grafted Branchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-37742452458138641082008-05-22T22:08:00.000-05:002008-05-22T22:08:00.000-05:00We've used orange cones in the past. We could put...We've used orange cones in the past. We could put them out when the kids were playing, and bring them back inside when the kids were not out. Now we have a gate across the mid-way point of our driveway (there were posts already there). We try to remember to close it when we go out to play, and we open it when we know Dad is almost home.VoiceInTheWildernesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16027905882847497714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-55359488891515594372008-05-22T21:42:00.000-05:002008-05-22T21:42:00.000-05:00I wept today when I saw the family photo and watch...I wept today when I saw the family photo and watched the Youtube video. The thought that I had, more than anything else, is just how brief our time is with our children, and how precious every moment is. It's good to be reminded of that when we sometimes get tired of the day-to-day grind. I think you will see many people doing things like Meredith did, in light of this tragedy. So very, very sad.<BR/> SusanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-23519022035247450432008-05-22T19:04:00.000-05:002008-05-22T19:04:00.000-05:00First of all, my heart goes out to the Chapman fam...First of all, my heart goes out to the Chapman family. <BR/><BR/>Last year my son and I were gardening. I sent him down the driveway to the garage to get a shovel, and the person who reads the water meter came zipping down the street and into our driveway. Luckily my son had just entered the garage, but I shudder to think what would have happened otherwise. Since then, I either park my car on the edge of the driveway, or we set out our recycling bins and storage tubs (which hold our balls).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-45341516222807650932008-05-22T18:57:00.000-05:002008-05-22T18:57:00.000-05:00Our children have never been allowed to play in ou...Our children have never been allowed to play in our driveway or front yard. Only the backyard and only while being supervised by an adult or older teen child. <BR/><BR/>I weep when I think of the grief the Chapman family must be going through. After a similar tragedy in Regina Doman's family last year, it's made me much more aware. Our van is backed into the driveway, and when we pull out someone walks around the vehicle to give the all clear.Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14475526372267284324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-55168120719703777682008-05-22T18:43:00.000-05:002008-05-22T18:43:00.000-05:00My word, that's a tragedy. I watched the You-Tube ...My word, that's a tragedy. I watched the You-Tube video of her and her dad washing dishes... it's so sad to think of such a bright little girl gone.<BR/><BR/>When I was a kid, we had a gate across our driveway. No fence, but we had gateposts and a simple gate installed to keep the driveway closed off. In retrospect, I suppose it might have looked strange, but it was effective.Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11371582826464951597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-84642309995944671112008-05-22T17:38:00.000-05:002008-05-22T17:38:00.000-05:00back many years ago when I was a new mother I alwa...back many years ago when I was a new mother I always parked my van across the bottom of my driveway so no one could drive in while my children were playing outside. If the car wasn't available my DH made me two wooden horses,(the kind you cut wood on) and they guarded the end of our driveway, I still have old trigger and silver, maybe I'll pull them out for grandkids one day.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-40254083398311298962008-05-22T17:09:00.000-05:002008-05-22T17:09:00.000-05:00Good idea. 6 years ago, I was about to back my ca...Good idea. 6 years ago, I was about to back my car out of my apartment's parking space when I thought, "Gee, I haven't seen the little boy who lives next door in a couple of minutes." I hopped out and walked around the back of the car. My neighbor's 2 year old son was standing directly behind the left rear tire, clinging to the car bumper. I picked him up, gave him a hug, and knocked on my neighbor's door and handed him to his mother (she spoke no English so I wasn't able to tell her what almost happened). When I got back into the car, I was shaking so hard that I couldn't drive for a few minutes. There was no doubt in my mind that I would have killed him if I hadn't had a "God Breeze" that told me to double-check before I backed out of my parking space. Since that day, I always double-check and I closely supervise my own children. In our house, you can't drive off unless the kids are in front of the car directly in sight. Miss KrisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-83050387370423206192008-05-22T16:05:00.000-05:002008-05-22T16:05:00.000-05:00I think the scariest thing to me is that the Chapm...I think the scariest thing to me is that the Chapman boy wasn't backing up. He was pulling IN and couldn't see her playing over the high SUV hood. I know two families who killed their own children in their driveways. So very sad. I make our children stand where I can see them until I am out of the driveway. They are older but you can never be too careful.Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07295771924438697987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-42878875692348121532008-05-22T15:55:00.000-05:002008-05-22T15:55:00.000-05:00We HAVe a backup alarm on our van -- which would b...We HAVe a backup alarm on our van -- which would be great if it went off when I didn't expect it. I'd know something unexpected wa there.<BR/><BR/>But it goes off TOO early. So If I'm backing up and there's a tree behind me (common where I have to park right now) I know when the alarm goes off that I don't need to stop because there is a TREE there. I have more space to back up before I hit it.<BR/><BR/>So I ignore it.MommyLydiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15608956553350425075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-53117592493901066522008-05-22T15:29:00.001-05:002008-05-22T15:29:00.001-05:00Our driveway is flat at the top, but then descends...Our driveway is flat at the top, but then descends and curves a bit down to the street. I have park the car at the point where the drive starts to descend and curve. The boys know that they are allowed to play in the flat area in front of the car, but that they are not allowed to play past or behind the car.<BR/><BR/>Eventually we'd like to complete the partial privacy fencing around our backyard. When/if we do this we'll also fence off the flat, "play area" of the driveway.<BR/><BR/>The best solution is to always be vigilant to look. As an extra precaution we have considered installing a "back-up alarm" (don't know what else to call it) to our cars -- a sensor that starts to beep when you're going in reverse and get with 5 feet of someone/something.Christian - Modobject@Homehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09687272618188063178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-57765767026893063152008-05-22T15:29:00.000-05:002008-05-22T15:29:00.000-05:00We have an extremely long driveway and it is flat ...We have an extremely long driveway and it is flat so the kids have plenty of room to play without going into the street. Living in a cul de sac has helped with the traffic as well. If I am worried, we block with cars to make things harder to get around, but the kids are pretty good about it.<BR/><BR/>I really love this frugal approach though!Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10635304837180578317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-51593925935610776672008-05-22T14:47:00.000-05:002008-05-22T14:47:00.000-05:00We have a very short driveway, but it runs into a ...We have a very short driveway, but it runs into a cul de sac where all the neighborhood kids love to play. Our van (a Nissan Quest) has a camera and backup sensor so we can see whatever is behind us and it beeps if you get within so many feet of something. I wouldn't drive a van or suv without this feature - it's just too dangerous. As far as keeping my kids safe when they're playing - they have to stand on the porch when anyone is backing up and they really don't play in the front yard much unless we're out there. As someone else mentioned, I don't see delivery people pulling into driveways around here. They park at the bottom and walk up maybe they do this to prevent an accident like this. Our prayers are with the Chapmans.<BR/>ClaraNae and Clarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13864584957040643136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-33498608554223978612008-05-22T14:31:00.000-05:002008-05-22T14:31:00.000-05:00So many prayers for the dear son and family! Your...So many prayers for the dear son and family! <BR/><BR/>Your retracting fence idea is inspired, Meredith. <BR/><BR/>Could you use a mirror at your 90 degree bend? A sign for visitors?<BR/><BR/>What we used for the driveway: a chalk line on top of a crack, well set-back from the street. They were trained to respect it (not even a toe over the line), and there were always swift and memorable consequences. One time a friend and I purposely set up a scenario where the visiting children had to immediately go home for violating the rule. It made an impact.<BR/><BR/>And an adult's constant presence (sitting in lawn chairs or gardening) between them and the street when outside playing. <BR/><BR/>I also taught them to respect cars, not to even crouch down behind a still one while playing hide-n-seek. Always to look for the driver's eyes.<BR/><BR/>House egress doors were slide-bolted at the top of the door frame; at that young age they were not allowed outside alone, but just in case one got the idea ...<BR/><BR/>Even now, as pre-teen and teen, they must stand on the back steps when cars are backing out of the garage, and one acts as a crossing guard like another post-er said.<BR/><BR/>weep. I keep remembering the Chapman family. <BR/><BR/>deb meyersAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-40297636436396576042008-05-22T14:01:00.000-05:002008-05-22T14:01:00.000-05:00Good idea....I did not know of this family...thank...Good idea....I did not know of this family...thanks for posting the link!!!Traceyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11064113501129840818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-2626968425861315112008-05-22T13:38:00.000-05:002008-05-22T13:38:00.000-05:00For cars coming into the driveway, I make sure all...For cars coming into the driveway, I make sure all kids are accounted for. We've also made it a firm, non-negotiable rule that they are to be out of the way when cars are present and no playing in the street -- these are rules enforced right off the bat, with the consequence being going in the house if the rules are not followed.<BR/><BR/>Additionally, I am also outside with them when they are out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com