As a parent of elementary school kids, I look back on when mine were babies and I have to giggle. When the kids were babies, we took such extreme care to be sure they were safe. If we only knew then what we know now! Keeping a baby safe is a piece of cake compared to keeping older kids safe. Once these kiddos begin to walk, their entire safety net grows like a weed! With an average of one pedestrian being killed every two hours and one being injured every 7 minutes, road safety is an issue we should all be aware of. This post is brought to you by our friends at #SaveKidsLives.
Here are some road safety tips for kids:
- Age: Kids under the age of 10 are more impulsive than those older than 10. Be sure to keep an extra eye on these younger kids when it comes to road safety.
- Eyes and Ears: No matter your age, everyone needs to not only look both ways, but keep an ear out for nearby traffic.
- Neighborhood: How walkable is your neighborhood? Take a walk with your partner and make sure your neighborhood is easy to navigate, especially for younger kids. Once you have deemed it safe, take the whole family on a walk!
- Direction: Always walk in the opposite direction when walking. This way you can see the cars coming toward you. Never turn your back on traffic. Remember many children are too short for a driver to see them until it is too late, therefore always walk with your children.
- Walk, Not Run: Never ever run in or near traffic. This is just setting you up for an accident.
- Clothing: When walking or riding bikes at or near dusk, be sure to wear bright, and preferable reflective clothing.
Because more than 500 children die every day in traffic accidents worldwide every year, it is crucial families practice road safety. The #SaveKidsLives partnership program was designed to get teachers and parents involved in promoting global road safety. This comes in light of the Third UN Global Road Safety Week, May 4—10. One way parents and teachers can show support is by signing of the Child Declaration for Global Road Safety. This should be partnered with families or students and teachers taking #Safies.
If everyone who takes their #Safies shares them on social media, the goal is to raise awareness and cut the number of fatalities in half. Scholastic and Safe Kids Worldwide are dedicated to making it safer for kids who are on the road. You too can show your support by taking a #Safie like my family did and share it on your social media. This Declaration is a call for action to mark The UN Global Road Safety Week in May 2015. It also urges world leaders to include a target to halve road traffic fatalities globally in the Post-2015 Development Goals, so that kids everywhere can be kept safe
Melissa says
These are really great tips. I really worry about my kids and making sure they are as safe as they can be.
Kelly says
Thank goodness we are on a dead end street. But, it is still important for the kids to follow road rules no matter where they are.
Aubrey says
Great tips for keeping kids safe. Now if they would only listen. I hate when people ride bikes at night dressed all in dark clothes. It’s so hard to see them!
Kristin Wheeler (Mama Luvs Books) says
Learning safety is the key! And I agree, starting at a young age is very helpful!
Sarah Marturano says
It is so important to teach road safety at a young age. Thanks for sharing these great tips.
Autumn @Mamachallenge says
These are really great tips! Road safety is such an important thing to teach children. Thanks for sharing!
Ladena says
These are great road safety tips. I will be sharing them all with my kids. Sometimes a reminder when summer is just about here is a good idea.
Ann Bacciaglia says
These are great road safty tips. It is so important to teach kids how to be safe.
Allie D. says
I have just started teaching my daughter about road safety now that she is walking and running everywhere. She feels the need to let go of my hand and just go off on her own. It can be so scary.
Amanda says
It’s so important to teach them young. Love your tips that you shared! With my oldest getting more adventurous, these are great reminders.
Melissa says
What an important campaign to bring awareness to. I need to teach my son more!
Jenny Temcio says
It’s important to teach kids road safety! Walking the opposite direction of traffic is always important so you can see traffic heading towards you.
Stacey- Travel Blogger says
When it comes to roads and traffic, you can never be too safe! These tips are great!
Amber Edwards says
We have a very quiet road thankfully but I worry so much about all the kids that are so oblivious to the cars that drive on the road. That is why I don’t allow my kids near the road that connects to our road because they just aren’t observant enough yet. We try to teach them road safety but it hasn’t sunk in yet.
Mama to 5 BLessings says
Yes I agree my 6 and 4 year olds tend to not pay attention when we are coming out of a store and walking back to the car, I am constantly having to guide them and remind them to pay attention.
Liz Mays says
This is really important. A lot of people don’t pay attention on the road so you have to be extra aware.
Debi says
I am so glad to see people bringing awareness to this. I see so many kids being unsafe and it is so scary.
Tammi @ My Organized Chaos says
Great tips, safety is my top concern right now since the kids are playing outside more and more with the new season.
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
My little one has been known to wander off. I have to keep a close eye on him.
Melissa Pezza says
It’s so important to teach children road safety as early as possible. I started all my kids off super young. I would explain why I looked both ways before crossing the street before they could even talk!