There are a multitude of benefits to having your children walk to school. Among them are: building healthy habits, improved air quality, building a sense of community, decrease in expenses and walking to school has even been associated with improved academic performance, concentration and socialization. It is our responsibility as parents to teach our children how to walk to school safely. The majority of children struck by cars are hit near schools. In fact, according to safe kids worldwide more than 15,000 children each year are injured by a vehicle while walking. With a little bit of pre planning, we can ensure our kids have a safe passage to and from school.
Visit https://www.safekids.org/walkingsafelytips for more safety tips.
The following are some tips to help prepare your children for the school year:
- Plan a safe route for your child – Take the time before school starts to walk the route with your child at the times, they will be walking it.
- Do not wear headphones while walking – it is important to hear what is going on around you at all times.
- Never text or talk on the phone while you are walking- head up cell phone down
- Just as you should hear what is going on around you it is important to see what is going on around you.
- Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
- Avoid walking alone if possible- there is always safety in numbers.
- Stay on the main well-traveled walking route, do not take shortcuts.
- Walk on sidewalks, if there are no sidewalks walk at the edge of the road facing traffic.
- Cross at crosswalks and look both ways before you cross.
- Never assume a driver sees you, make sure to make eye contact with the driver prior to crossing the street.
- Do not horse around with friends while walking near the street.
- NEVER talk to strangers, approach cars of people you do not know or accept a ride from someone you do not know- talk to your kids about ways strangers can entice them (asking for directions, asking for help finding their “lost” pet, offering candy, or even saying “your mom asked me to pick you up” … always air on the side of caution, if your mom or dad didn’t tell you about it DON’T go!)
- See something Say something -Report suspicious behavior- if something strange or abnormal happens on your walk to or from school make sure to discuss it with your parent or school official.
- Walk directly to your destination unless already pre-arranged with a parent.
Do your children come home to an empty house? Would you like to know when they get home safely, who they came home with? We can help! Our app can send you notifications if your child is running late, when they come in and can even be set to send a video of who they came home with and much more!
Want more information? Call us today at 888.947.8476
