Driveway Dangers: The Most Overlooked Babyproofing Risk (and How to Fix It)

🚗 The Most Overlooked Area to Babyproof? Your Driveway.

If I could shout this from the rooftops, I would:
1000000000% the driveway is one of the most dangerous—and most overlooked—areas when it comes to babyproofing.

As parents, we’re great at covering powerpoints, padding corners, and locking cabinets...
But the driveway? It’s just outside the front door, and it’s one of the most common locations for devastating (but preventable) accidents involving little ones. The good news? A few simple changes can make a huge difference.

🧡 7 Ways to Make Your Driveway Safer for Kids

1. Fence off the driveway

The driveway itself should never be considered a safe place to play.
But if your kids use it for chalk, scooting, or riding, make sure that space is clearly fenced off from where cars drive or park.
No shared space. No confusion. No exceptions.

2. Park your car facing out

Reverse in, drive out.
Most low-speed driveway accidents happen while reversing. When you leave facing forward, you have a clear view of footpaths, children, and driveways, which means more time to react.
It’s one of the simplest ways to reduce risk, costs nothing and no fancy gadgets required!

3. Lock the car

Even a parked car can be deadly. Kids love to climb in and play.
Always keep your vehicle locked- even in a garage or carport- to prevent children from getting trapped, locking themselves in, or accidentally shifting gears.

4. Wave goodbye from the verandah

Start this habit when your child is still a baby: wave from the porch.
By the time they’re old enough to walk or run, they’ve already learned that the driveway is not a space to stand in, wave from, or linger near.
Children copy what we do, so make this the default.

5. Childproof the locks

Many driveway incidents happen because a child simply slipped out the door when no one was looking.
Use high-mounted locks, childproof latches, or even door alarms to prevent unsupervised access to the driveway or front yard.

6. Take your child with you

If you're home alone and need to move the car- even just a little (say from teh street back into your driveway), then put your child in the car with you.
Otherwise you might check the area, buckle yourself in, and still not notice your child has followed you out.
The safest place for them is with you inside the car, always.

7. Stand behind the fence

It’s easy to end up chatting with a neighbour in the driveway while the kids play nearby.
Instead, set the norm: stand behind your front fence or boundary with your children.
It's easy to become distracted talking to another adult, and it only takes a split second for your child to crawl/run/scooter away. Keeping everyone behind the fence keeps kids well clear of vehicles and teaches your child where the "safe zone" is.

💬 Final Thoughts

Babyproofing isn’t just about what’s inside your home.
Some of the most serious risks are in places we barely think about...like our own driveway.

But with a few mindful changes, you can create a home environment that protects your child without making you feel like you’re living in a bubble.

Want to help spread awareness? Share this post with a parent who’s still in the babyproofing phase! You never know whose life it could impact 🧡