Road Safety Tips for Parents: Keeping Our Little Ones Safe
As part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of our children, we would like to share some practical road safety tips. These guidelines will help you teach your child how to stay safe when walking or traveling near roads.
1. Hold Hands Near Roads
Always hold your child’s hand when walking near roads. If your child is a little older and walking independently, make sure they stay close and understand to stop at the curb.
2. Teach the ‘Stop, Look, and Listen’ Rule
Begin teaching your child the basics of crossing the road:
- Stop before stepping onto the road.
- Look in both directions to check for cars.
- Listen for any approaching vehicles.
- Only cross when the road is clear.
3. Use Pedestrian Crossings
Whenever possible, use designated pedestrian crossings or traffic lights. Explain to your child why it’s safer to cross at these points rather than in the middle of the road.
4. Be a Good Role Model
Children learn by watching adults. Always practice safe road habits yourself, like waiting for the green light, crossing at crosswalks, and avoiding distractions, such as phones, when walking near roads.
5. Teach Road Signs and Signals
Introduce your child to basic road signs and traffic signals. Explain what they mean in simple terms so they understand what to look out for.
6. Avoid Distractions
Encourage your child to stay focused when near roads. This means no running, playing, or using electronic devices when crossing roads or walking near traffic.
7. Be Visible
If you’re out and about during darker hours or in poor weather conditions, ensure your child is wearing bright or reflective clothing. This helps drivers see them more easily.
8. Car Safety
Always use appropriate car seats or booster seats for your child’s age, height, and weight. Make sure they are properly buckled up before starting your journey.
9. Teach Patience
Help your child understand that it’s important to wait for the right moment to cross the road. Patience is key to staying safe, even if it means waiting a little longer.
10. Practice Makes Perfect
Reinforce these safety tips through regular practice during your daily walks. The more your child practices, the more confident and aware they will become.
By working together, we can help our children develop the skills and habits needed to stay safe on the road. Thank you for your continued support in keeping our little ones safe.
Here is a link to ‘Tales of the Road’ education resource to support you at home.
