Walk This Way!

Walking to school is fun!  These tips can help ensure that it’s also safe:

Back To School Safety Dans Wellness Newsleter August 2015Walk together.  Younger children should always walk with an adult.  Older kids can walk with a sibling or friend.

Pick the best route.  Help your kids pick a safe route to school.  Tell them not to let friends talk them into taking shortcuts that may be more dangerous.

Be seen.  Remember, drivers may not be able to see kids well.  Make sure they wear bright colored clothes.  If it is dark or hard to see, have them carry flashlights or wear reflective gear.

Look for traffic.  Teach kids to watch out for cars and trucks at every driveway and intersection on the walk to school.  Look for drivers in parked cars.  They may be getting ready to move.

Cross the street safely.  Teach these steps:  1. Stop at the curb or edge of the street.  2. Look left, right, and left and behind you and in front of you for traffic.  3. Wait until no traffic is coming and begin crossing.  4. Keep looking for traffic until you have finished crossing.  5. Walk, don’t run across the street.  6. Obey traffic signs, signals and adult school-crossing guards.

-Source:  National Center for Safe Routes to School