During the summer, kids spend a lot of time outdoors – playing, swimming, biking and walking from place to place. But, parents should pay close attention to their kids when having fun outside this summer as statistics show each year that many children get hurt. In the past few weeks, Truestar has brought you a series of articles on Summer Safety for Kids including Swimming, Playing and Biking. Let Truestar now show you how your kids can walk safely this summer.
Startling Statistics:
17 children will die from being struck by cars while walking this summer and 220 will be hospitalized for pedestrian injuries.
Statistics predict 12 deaths and 160 pedestrian crashes leading to hospital admissions among kids 5 to 14 years old this summer.
There will be 5 deaths and 60 hospital admissions this summer when toddlers and preschoolers get struck by cars.
Children 5 to 9 years old are at risk for being injured while walking.Walking Injuries
Children get hurt while walking for a few reasons. Firstly, kids under age 9 can’t make safe decisions about traffic. Young children can’t see all the things around them and are unable to make safe and quick decisions about crossing the road. Many kids think that if they don’t see a car coming, drivers will surely see them and stop their cars. Secondly, older kids and teens tend to be too confident about their abilities and rights on the road. For instance, they may see a car coming, but think they can cross the street in time.
Walking Safety Tips
Here are some walking safety tips from Safe Kids Canada:
Teach your child how to cross the street safely. If they are under the age of 9, cross the street with them and teach them how to do it safely. Have your child show you that they know how to cross the street safely. Ask them to point out the risks and then ask them what they should do about them.
Teach them the rules of the road: only cross at intersections; stop and check both ways before crossing the street; before walking in front of a stopped car, make sure the driver sees you. Also, make sure they know to watch out for cars coming out of driveways, to walk on streets with sidewalks and to use a designated railway crossing and to look for trains before crossing tracks.
Make sure your children can be seen on roads. Your children should be wearing light-coloured clothes and backpacks with reflective material.
Slow down when driving in your community. A child hit by a fast-moving vehicle is more likely to be seriously injured than if the car was moving slowly. Drive slowly in your community and contact your community to try to reduce the speed limit on local roads. Eating for energy
Truestar wants your children to stay healthy and safe this summer season. Get your kids on the Truestar plan today of healthy meals, easy exercises, nutritious supplements, sleep and attitude plans.
Stay healthy and be safe this summer!
