Healthy Communities of Clinton County Coalition has submitted the following walking article that Elizabeth Goff from IU Health wrote for March.
Pedestrian Safety: Keep Your Kids Safe While Walking to School
The first day of Spring – March 20 – is right around the corner. However, kids are walking to or from school or a bus stop throughout the entire school year, regardless of the season or weather. It’s important to remind them of some simple safety tips.
Set a Good Example
Children will quickly pick up on bad habits. Set a good example by following the rules yourself. Show your child how to properly follow the signals, crosswalks and other safety rules.
Look Left, Look Right
Teach them to look left and to look right before crossing the street every time. Teach them to watch for cars that are backing up out of driveways. Have them try to make eye contact with drivers when they are crossing the street. Reinforce to your child that just because you can see the driver, the driver may not be able to see you.
Hold Hands
Kids may not want to hold hands, but if they are tiny or young, make sure they hold your hands while crossing the street or in a parking lot where they can be shorter than the bumper or hood of a car.
Pick the Best Route
Try to find a safe route to school that has the fewest street crossings.
Bus Rules
Make sure children know how to walk around a school bus. They should walk 10-feet in front of a school bus and never behind it.