School’s (almost) out for summer, and that means you can expect to see more children outside enjoying the break. Before your kids are out of school, now is the time to go over pedestrian safety with them.
Everywhere you go, you’ll see someone walking with their attention on their smartphone. This can be dangerous for many reasons.
Besides falling, a child could be walking straight in front of a vehicle that might not see them. During the summertime, it’s important for drivers to be especially cautious when driving through neighborhoods and busy roads.
If your child will be walking to friends’ houses or other locations this summer, here are some easy tips to share with them to keep them safe:
- Always use the sidewalk. Some of our roads don’t have sidewalks, so if there isn’t one, walk as far to the edge of the road as possible and walk toward traffic so you can see what’s coming.
- If it’s dark outside, wear something reflective or carry a flashlight so drivers can easily see you.
- Don’t assume a car will stop for pedestrian traffic. Make sure they’re coming to a full stop before you walk across the road.
- Ditch the headphones. Music can eliminate noises that are meant to warn you, like car horns.
- Obey traffic signals. It may look clear to pass when you have a don’t walk signal, but a car can drive up very quickly.
These are just a few tips you can share with your children before they plan to enjoy their summer out of school. As parents, make sure you’re keeping an eye on your surroundings for the extra pedestrian traffic.