I consider myself a very protective parent. In fact, I know that I’m a bit TOO protective. I’m not ashamed to admit it. For example, when my kids were younger I would stand by the window watch them in front of our condo building when they took our dog out to do his business. Or I would stand at the top of the stairs while my kids went downstairs to get the mail.
My kids are older but that doesn’t mean for one moment that I don’t take their safety and well being to heart on a daily basis.
We live in a very busy condo and townhome complex. There are 40 condo buildings (400 units) and 300 townhome. Needless to say the parking lot can be a VERY busy place. People are always coming and going all the time. Not only do I worry about potential kidnappers, I also worry about wreckless drivers who race up and down the parking lot. I have insisted for years that they install a few more speed bumps, especially in front of my building, but the condo board refuses because they don’t want people to damange the underside of their car and sue the board. I look at it this way – if you are foolish enough to speed over a speed bump you deserve the damage to the underside of your car.
Another problem we have is people not paying attention to their surroundings when backing up. I make certain to be aware of my surroundings, but with so many cars parked around you it’s easy not to see someone or something come behind you when you are backing out.
Once when my son was a toddler he also got hit by a car backing out in our parking lot. I always had a good grip on my kid’s hands but that one time he wiggled free and ran down the hill (our parking lot is on a hill). Because he was a toddler and there were a lot of cars in the parking lot, a neighbor backed out and almost hit him because he didn’t see him behind his car. Why my neighbor stopped before he hit my son I’ll never know (he no longer lives here). I am grateful for whatever reason that he stopped when he did or my son could have been seriously injured or worse.
Since that day I have become a bit paranoid when backing out in our parking lot because we have so many toddlers and small children around here and I would hate for something like that to happen again – especially when I’m the one behind the wheel.
Not only children but you have to be cautious of other people, pets and miscellaneous stuff (like other cars, toys, etc.).
A few times in the past I have had the opportunity to review brand new cars. I drive a 96′ Mazda. Driving a brand new car is a wonderful experience. I love all the “bells and whistles” new cars offer.
One safety feature that any new cars come with this days are the rear view cameras that allow you to see from a small screen on your dashboard what is behind your car, so you are able to see things you might not otherwise see if you look in your rear view mirror or turn to look behind you, such as a child who is too small to be seen over the back (trunk) of the car. A rear view camera will help to eliminate blind spots.
At first I had a hard time getting used to the rear view camera, but after a few times I could see just how valuable such a piece of equipment can be. I wish it was available when my car was made.
Many parents are taking safety standards into their own hands. A lawsuit was filed recently that is demanding that the Department of Transportation (DOT) set rear visibility standards for vehicles, as required by a law passed in 2008. I have never heard of this before. I wonder if the DOT will make it the law to have things like rear view cameras on ALL cars – including older ones like mine.
Whether you drive an older car like mine, or a new one that does not feature a rear view camera, you can take matters in your own hands by installing a rear view camera on your car. In fact, for some people installation is easy and can be done in about 15 minutes.
Brands like PEAK make it a cost effective option, too. You can install a PEAK® Back-Up Camera in your own car.
Here is a brief video that shows you just how easy it can be.
You always have the option of paying someone to install it for you too. If you are a handy person (or know someone who is) its better to install it yourself and save a few dollars.
The PEAK® Back-Up Camera has a full LCD color monitor that affixes to your car’s windshield with a suction cup. It also comes with a water resistant that attaches to the vehicles license plate.
PEAK® Back-Up Camera is not only for cars. You can install it on trucks, SUV’s, RVs and even campers.
If you have children or pets, or live in a neighborhood with children and pets, installing a PEAK® Back-Up Camera is essential for their safety and for your peace of mind.
You can find the PEAK® Back-Up Camera (in two different sizes) at Walmart and auto retailers nationwide. They range in price, depending on what size monitor you want, from around $70-$90 at Walmart. Prices vary by retailer. I was actually surprised at how affordable they are. I would have thought they would have been a lot more money. I also never thought you could install it yourself either.
For more information about the PEAK® Back-Up Camera and other products visit www.PEAKAuto.com. You can also check them out on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
One lucky reader will win a PEAK® Back-Up Camera, compliments of PEAK®.
This giveaway is open to US residents only and will end on December 12, 2013 at 11:59 PM (EST). The winner will be chosen at random using a random number generator from all eligible entries. The winner will be notified via e-mail and will have three days to reply or a new winner will be chosen in their place.
To enter please comment on this post and tell me why you would like to win the PEAK® Back-Up Camera.
For extra entries you can use the Rafflecopter widget (below) but you must complete the intitial entry requirement or the additional entries won’t qualify (I do check). Extra entries are optional.
Kimberly
*I have partnered with PEAK® to bring you this post. Although compensated all opinions are 100% my own and not influenced in any way.
Keziah Gibbons says
I would love to win the Peak® Back-up camera because it would be a great way for me back up with ease knowing that safety is very important to me. I do a lot of errands everyday and when I park in crowded parking lots, it is hard to see whose behind you you get ready to back up. Sometimes parents don’t always hold the hands of their children and they run ahead of them which drives me crazy because sometimes cars back up without even looking which is very dangerous! Also would be great for seeing small dogs that you don’t really see. I want to ensure that when I back-up, it is perfectly clear and safe. The Peak® Back-up camera would be an extra added security for my peace of mind when I am in my vehicle.
Shannon Baas says
I always worry about kids behind the car.
Misty Smith says
I would like to win this for my mother in law.
Kimberly Schotz says
I live on a street with lots of children and I drive a big SUV. My car is older and does not have a camera or even a back up beeper. This would be awesome to have.
Gwen E says
I am short and drive a truck. I need to be able to see.
Ben G says
I would like to win this because I am concerned about what is behind my vehicle. Especially in parking lots.
Catie says
I would love to win because my neighbor’s grandkids are constantly running behind my car when I’m trying to back out! I’m always careful, but I worry something will happen.
Shana says
I didn’t know these were so affordable either! I drive an older small car that doesn’t have one.
I would like one because I’ve had some close calls while backing up in parking lots. I’ve almost hit people!
Deb E says
I have trouble twisting my neck around to check properly. I do my best and it hurts when I strain it, so this would help my poor neck and keep the people behind my car safer!
nickie says
Great for backing up in parking lots
jen says
would love this so much
ellen beck says
I worry about animals in the neighborhood. We dont have alot of kids but I feed a feral colony and am always afraid they might be behind me.
Kazuko Smith says
I would love to win this for my mother. We live in town houses. There are plenty of children around. I will love to give this to her so she can be careful and avoid any accidents.
Lori G says
This would be great as I drive a truck and it’s hard to see what is behind it while backing up.
Deborah D says
I have 3 nieces & 3 nephews and I live in town where there are a lot of kids. I also have an older van that does not even have a backup beeper let alone a camera.
tammigirl says
I have a back up camera in my van and it’s great. My mother always says her car should have one, too. Now it can!
Ann says
I would love to have this. It would be very helpful. Don’t want to run into anything!
Colleen Boudreau says
Because it would be helpful & safe.
Wanda McHenry says
It would be extremely helpful when the weather is really bad and you can’t really see behind you.
Virginia Rowell says
I would love to have this because this is definitely a great safety device. You never know what’s behind you no matter where you are. I don’t know how many times people and kids have walked behind my car.
Kristi C says
I would like to win because I drive a large SUV and am always terrified of a small child running behind my vehicle.
michelle elizondo says
I want one for our truck. This is for me.
deb c says
Our drive is so hard to back down. It has already cost us over $800. to get my husband’s tailgate fixed after he hit one of the trees beside the driveway.
Linda Szymoniak says
I have five dogs that love to run in our backyard. We have gates across our driveway at the front of the house to allow for more usable space in our backyard, but even though we don’t open the gates unless the dogs are inside, we do have occasion to back our vehicles out of the garage while the dogs are out, and I always worry that one of them might run behind the vehicle while it’s moving. I’d love to have the added safety of being able to actually SEE what’s behind my mini-van when I’m backing it out.
Jackie McNutt says
I am 64 and drive a mini van and as I age I know my reaction time and eyesight will not always be what it is today. As you know even mini vans have blind spots . I also use my van for business and have lots of back up maneuvers . Thank you
Jammie says
I want to win this camera because my sister has a big SUV and lives in the city, I think this would be great for her.
Ellie W says
I’d like to win for my son’s huge SUV. I worry my little grandsons will be in the way and can’t be seen while backing out.
Allison Downes says
I want to win this to have a little extra reassurance of safe driving and because this seems very helpful! Thank you for the chance to win it.
MARTHA says
We all need all the extra help and view to keep us safe while driving,,,,,this is a great need for anyone.GOOD LUCK EVERYONE….TY
April Brenay says
this would be great for our van, its soooo hard to see at night when backing the car out in our neighborhood.
steve weber says
especially in the winter it’s hard to see what’s behind my car sometimes.
Cassie sudduth says
I would love to have this because of all the pets that are around the house! It is very hard to see if they are behind the car or not.
melikegarfield says
I am always worried that the kids, the pets or neighbors are behind my car. It would help give me a peace of mind.
Shemp DeYoung (@shempgames) says
My neighbors frequently let their cats, dogs, (and even a rooster) wander and they end up in our yard. Even though I’m not fond of those little trespassers, I wouldn’t want to back over one in my car.
Jessamine D. says
I would love to win this so that I can be more at ease when backing up the car. 🙂
Jessamine D. says
I am a Bloglovin follower. 🙂
Amanda S. says
We had one on a rental car and I loved it! Would be so nice to have one on our car.
kathy whitney says
My hubby has a big truck. I’m always afraid he is going to bump someone when he parks. Because he is such a tight fit.
sylvia says
my husband and i were just talking about buying one. we have a couple of pretty large vehicles and it’s a scary thought that a kid could run behind them without us knowing it
Ann Fantom says
I would like the PEAK Back-Up Camera because my husband’s car has poor rear visibility because of it’s high and narrow rear window. I hate backing his car up!
Katie Roch says
I would like to win the Peak back up camera because I think it would make a great gift for my mom. She drives a vehicle with tinted back windows has trouble backing up at times. She also has a difficult time parallel parking and I think this device could help her.
Patricia Wojnar Crowley says
I’d love to win for my mom….I think this would help her be safe!
latanya says
I have a hard time always seeing everything when I back up and this could help
Christine says
I would love to win the Peak® Back-up camera because it would be a good new acessory for our car.
Thanks for the chance!
Jennifer P - Vicki Vix on Rafflecopter says
I’d love this for my niece as she has only recently gotten her driver’s license. Also their are pets in the houses beside her driveway [which she has to back out of] that the neighbours have a tendency to let wander around loose. Thanks for the giveaway.
Jennifer P - Vicki Vix on Rafflecopter says
Follow you via BlogLovin’ as Vicki Vix.
Tamar says
This would give me a lot more confidence driving in general. I don’t particularly like driving, I have a visual disability making driving difficult anyhow, and whenever I go to a relatively crowded parking lot, I usually park super far away so as to avoid backing up into people. When I was in high school, I was backing out of my parking spot at the same time as my classmate, and we both smacked into each other, so I don’t really have any confidence anymore.
Linda Kish says
I would like to put it in my son’s truck.
June Lisle says
I want this camera because we can’t see everything from my husband’s truck. I would love this product for us to be more safe.
June Lisle says
I follow on bloglovin asfunfaithandgiveaways
Rhonda Mason says
I also live in an apt complex and a couple years ago I came way to close to backing over a toddler on a tricycle. I had looked for kids and started the car. On a second glance in the rear view I saw just about a 1/2 inch of blond curls over the trunk. OMG! If she had been leaned over the handlebars like they sometimes do I would have backed over her. Horrifying! I came in the house and cried for hours. Every car should be equipped.
denise says
Because I suck at backing up!
Laura Jacobson says
Oh I would love to win! I drive a van, and its so hard to see out the back window with the taller head rests, and with all the kids and pets around our culdesac, I would love to be able to see as I am backing up! What a neat item!
Betty says
Once when about to leave a parking lot, I just caught a blur of movement when looking out the back window. I held in place and did not actually backout wondering what I had seen when finally this older lady popped back up holding a coin she had bent over to pickup and walked on. She clearly never realized my car was on. She saw that penny and probably thought it was her lucky day. That specific instance scared me so much’ I started parking away from the prime spots. Parking lots are crazy – people are focused on their particular need to hurry and duck between cars, pull out without looking, fight to get to an empty spot before someone else gets it. A camera would be so helpful to verify that clearly no one or thing is behind your car before backing
kyl neusch says
be very useful!
Cheryl Larimer says
Would love to win this to protect even one child. We live in a busy child filled neighborhood where not all the parents watch their kids. The camera is extra help to watch over them.
Tabathia B says
We have many unsupervised kids in our neighborhood that walk in the parking lot and not on the sidewalk and ride bikes everywhere without looking ahead, this would be piece of mind for me
Christine says
I follow you on BlogLovin’.
Daniel M says
sometimes hard to see around my suv
Marci says
It’s near impossible to see behind us on our driveway when the sun is shining and at other times too.
Brynn says
This would be a great safety precaution!
Sarah VM says
I would like to win this for my husband’s car. He doesn’t have a back up camera and I think it would be a very safe thing for him to have one. Between the neighborhood kids running around the the dogs, this would be useful to him.
Sonya says
I have a van and can’t see behind me!
Sonya says
I follow you via Bloglovin
melissa Resnick says
i want to win this for the protection of my kids and my animals
Richard Hicks says
I love these backupcameras. I have seen them work and they can be a lifesaver literally!
Crystal Renee says
It would be nice to see what is behind me that my rear view mirrors can’t see to be on the safe side.
Heather B says
I always worry about a child or animal running out behind me
Stephanie Larison says
This would help in the driveway, my daughters toys and ride ons are always in the way.
Denise Donaldson says
I want to win, because I am short, and its always hard for me to see behind my car when backing up.
Sherry Conrad says
My daughter just got a larger car with the new baby coming and the one thing she misses is her back up cam.
Leslie L Stanziani says
I own a windowless cargo van and have 4 kids ( including a hyper 6 year old that darts away) .Those are my reasons for needing a back up camera.
Judy Chapman says
I would love to see behind my car, it seems so much safer.
Rachel Ellis says
Every time that I take my son to soccer practice I am scared to death that one of the many children will run behind me without my noticing. Scares me silly!
Rachel Ellis says
I follow on bloglovin – http://www.bloglovin.com/racheljeramie
Danielle F says
My kids’ safety means the world to me, and bad things can happen so quickly. This is just another piece of mind to prevent needless accidents. I would love to have one!
laurie says
I’m disabled and cant look over my shoulder and this would help insure that I don’t run over something behind me
Bryan E. says
Thanks for the giveaway…there is a blind spot caused by a spare tire that obscures a clear view by the driver of our SUV’s rear when backing up.
Bryan E. says
Share: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/574138652467007963/
Joy Q says
I would love to win because it would make backing up safer.