On July 27, 2016 lives were changed forever when our beautiful toddler, 14 month old Harper Rodden was killed. Harper was ran over by a vehicle at her child care providers home. Though this was a terrible accident, Harper’s death could have been avoided. Harper’s child care procedures allowed the children to play in the front yard as parents and grandparents came to pick up their children.
Harper’s family wants to ensure this type of tragedy does not happen to one more child and devastate yet another family. In her short life, Harper was known for her sweet hugs. Please support us by sharing Harper’s story and the Harper Hugs below with everyone to help keep the children safe! Please act now by hugging someone you love. Have the conversations, don’t assume someone else will! Help us save a child from injury or death!
Hug Number One
If you use an in home child care facility that allows children in the front yard, near a driveway or near the street during drop-off or pick-up, please ask the provider to change that procedure immediately or advise them you will change your provider.
Hug Number Two
If you know parents using an in home child care provider, please share Harper’s story and ask them to have the conversation above with their provider to ensure the children are safely away from vehicle dangers.
Hug Number Three
If you are, or know a parent looking for a child care provider, be sure to ask about the drop-off and pick-up procedures. Do not use a provider that allows children to be near vehicles in the front yard, on a driveway or near the street.
Hug Number Four
Ensure that anyone tasked with drop-off or pick-up of your children knows the procedures and practices extra vehicle safety while on and near the provider’s premises.
Hug Number Five
Require your child care provider to develop and publish safety procedures. Both you and the provider should discuss and sign off on the procedures prior to entering into a care agreement.
Hug Number Six
Write to your states’ congressmen and women and ask that they review the licensing requirements of in home childcare providers to ensure safe drop-off and pick-up procedures are included.
Hug Number Seven
Like and Share Harper’s Hugs Facebook Page so this this message goes viral.
Please pray with us that this Facebook page will be liked and shared countless times so that it reaches every family who is faced with trusting the care of their child to someone else. With your prayers and advocacy, we can protect precious little children who depend on all of us to keep them safe. Please help us get the word out to everyone!