Make sure that the space is big enough to hold your car.  It will have to be at least 25% longer than the length of your car.  You will also want to check for fire hydrants, yellow edges on sidewalks, or handicap signs as to why the space might be left empty. This will allow other cars behind you to drive around.  Pull up next to the car in front of the empty spot.  You want to be as close to the other car as possible, not more than 12 inches (30.5 cm) away.  Ensure that the front of your car is the same distance from the car next to you as the back of your car (don't slant your car at an angle).  Your bumper should line up directly parallel to the car next to you. Start backing up slowly until your head is parallel with the wheel of the car to your right.  Press on the brake and hold your car steady.  Turn your steering wheel as far as it will go clockwise.  Look over your left shoulder as far as you can and start backing up again.  Keep backing up until you can see the front wheel of the car behind you in your right mirror. Your car should now be positioned at a 45 degree angle into the parking space.  Press on your brake and steady your car. Do this while maintaining your foot on the brake.  When it has moved as far as it will go, begin backing up again slowly.  Glance from front to back to ensure that you are not going to bump the car in front or the car in back. If you either bump into the curb, or get too close to the car in back of you, turn the top of the wheel to the right again and pull forward slowly.  Steer your car into the proper position. Leave space in front and behind to allow yourself and the other people to get out of the parking spots. If you park very far forward or back and another car parks very close to you, you will be too tight to get out of your spot, so don’t forget to leave that space.  If done correctly, you should leave no more than 12 inches from the curb to your car.

Summary: Find an empty parking spot. Turn your blinker on to the right. Put your car in reverse. Turn your wheel all the way counter-clockwise. Continue to back up until you are parked. Exit your vehicle.


Because toddlers are so inquisitive, they may try to open doors. If your front door is unlocked and your child opens it, he or she could wander out into the world. To prevent this, you can buy special child-proof doorknob covers that will keep your child from opening the door.  These covers usually need to be squeezed from two sides in order to grip the doorknob and allow it to be turned. Toddlers cannot wrap their small hands around the covers and squeeze them sufficiently to turn the knob. However, these covers should not be the only method used to keep toddlers from getting out of the home. Some ingenious toddlers figure out how to bypass these covers by inserting their finger into the hole in the cover and manipulating the doorknob or actually managing to remove the doorknob cover entirely. An added measure of security on doors is to lock them, preferably using two locks. Any doors that could lead to danger for toddlers should be locked. This includes doors to stairs and balconies as well as any other rooms that pose a hazard. Although coffee tables are functional and look nice, they are also the cause of many head injuries to toddlers that fall near them. If you would prefer not to remove the coffee table from the room, you can pad the edges and corners with a soft material.  This can be done with special soft, plastic corner protectors that you can generally purchase at home furnishing stores. There are also protective strips that can be used along the side edges of the coffee table. One strangulation hazard that many people overlook is the pull cords on curtains, shades, and blinds. These long strings are usually hidden from sight, but toddlers are notorious for finding things that they are not supposed to find. There are special cord holders that wind the cord up short and keep it securely hidden in a plastic case so it stays out of reach. You can purchase these at your local home furnishing store. Kids generally love to climb so keep your child from climbing up to the window by moving your furniture around. Move any furniture that is near a window so that your child cannot reach the window and accidentally fall out Consider getting a lock that does not let you open the window more than a few inches. This way the child will not be able to open the windows and drop through it. Sometimes, light-weight furniture that has hard surfaces can cause injuries. Toddlers might try to use the furniture to assist them in standing or try to climb up onto the furniture. Their weight causes the furniture to topple and sometimes fall onto the toddler.
Summary: Purchase special doorknob covers. Keep doors locked, particularly if they lead outside. Pad the corners and edges of coffee tables. Tie up the cords on curtains, shades and blinds. Move any furniture away from the window. Avoid using light-weight furniture.