Taking a stroll along a quaint street, window
shopping and even walking along city streets to get to an interesting attraction
is often part of a
While parents may spend a lot of time talking to their
children about biking safety, family strolls are the perfect time to reinforce
road safety with children. As parents we often forget these rules and we tend
to think we don't need to
follow all the rules all the time. Just remember, our children are always watching what
we do and learn by our example.
Click on the List or Scroll the Page for Safety Tips:
WALKING SAFETY WITH
INFANTS
A great way to get back in shape after having a baby and to
enjoy fresh air with an infant is going for a walk around the block. Here
are some tips to keep in mind when strolling with baby:
-
If you are using a stroller, ensure that the stroller is in good
condition and never let go of the stroller.
See Tips on Buying and
Using Strollers.
-
Never let go of stroller.
-
Ensure baby is comfortable but that no blankets or toys can
become a danger to baby in stroller.
-
Keep infants in a rear facing position if possible so that you
can watch the infant.
-
Keep strollers well back at all intersections.
-
If you are using a back or front carrier, ensure that the infant
and the carrier are suited for each other. Infants that do not have strong
neck control should never be placed in a back carrier.
See Tips on Buying and
Using Front and Back Carriers.
-
Observe the Rules of the Road
-
Avoid carrying baby in your arms or on your shoulders.
-
Never use a baby walker on a sidewalk or driveway. See
-
Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather.
-
Practice Sun Safety, especially for the infant. See
Sun Safety Tips.
-
Take along some diapers, baby food (if needed) and an extra
blanket for baby.
-
Carry a cell phone and some money in case of emergency.
-
Be careful in slippery conditions and avoid walking near
water. Be especially careful on slopes and stairs.
-
Watch for car doors opening on the sidewalk side that may hit
the stroller.
Click here to return to List
WALKING SAFETY WITH CHILDREN
Walking with a toddler or preschooler opens up a whole new
world at a whole new level. These young walkers are looking at new and
exciting things and often too busy and too young to be aware of any dangers.
That is a parent or caregiver's job and one that is made especially harder when
these newly independent mobile children don't want to hold hands.
Generally speaking, children under 9 years of age lack the
hearing, peripheral vision and judgment capabilities necessary for them to be
able to safely navigate busy streets. Along with Safety Tips and Rules of
Road, these additional tips may help keep these little wanderers safe and happy:
-
Don't let children walk alone.
-
A great safety tool for toddlers and preschoolers is a harness.
While some may feel you are keeping them on a leash, a harness offers the safety
of keeping a child closer at hand, helping to direct them and also to even
assist when a fall is inevitable. See Safety Harness with Hand Strap
-
Hold hands at all intersections and when crossing any driveways
or lanes.
-
Teach and enforce a rule that the child must stop immediately
when told to do so and follow further instructions.
-
Teach children to stay away from the edge of the sidewalk.
-
If children are riding a ride-on toy, keep them close by at all
times.
-
If using a wagon, check wheels and handles regularly.
Children should remain seated when wagon is in motion.
-
Keep to short routes and be prepared to carry tired feet.
-
Follow and teach safety tips and rules for the
road.
Click here to return to List
Safety Tips and Rules for
the Road
One of the premier rules of the road to teach
your children is "STOP, LOOK & LISTEN". These additional tips will help
reinforce this rule as well as provide more safety tips to practice and teach
children:
- Always look both ways and exercise caution when crossing at a cross walk
or intersection. It is important to not just look at the cars stopped at
the intersection but any approaching vehicles and cyclists as well.
- Even when crossing an intersection at a green light it is still important
to look all ways and watching for turning cars.
- Make eye contact with drivers to be sure you have been seen you and that
all cars have come to a complete stop before crossing at an intersection or
cross walk.
- Constantly reinforce and demonstrate safety rules when walking with
children and even by yourself - you never know who may be watching.
- Stay away from and never go into a car with a stranger.
- Children should always tell parents where they are going. All adults
should always leave a note at home when they are going for a walk too - noting
their destination and route in case of emergency.
-
Teach children to walk in safe areas - avoid parking lots,
paths through wooded areas, secluded areas, loose gravel and
busy roads.
-
Don't let children
walk alone at night.
-
Wear bright or
reflective clothing for night or evening walks.
-
Watch for cyclists.
- Walk across cross-walks and intersections only. Do not cross the
street between intersections and parked cars.
- Be aware of driveways and lanes. Look both ways and
stop before crossing. This is especially important to
teach young children.
- When walking on roads without sidewalks always walk on the side of the
road facing traffic and as close to the edge as possible.
- Stay out of ditches and away from ponds, streams and rivers - see
First Aid Safety Tips from
St. John's Ambulance - Dangers of Spring Rivers.
- Stay away from school buses and other buses.
- If you hear a siren, it is best to move away from the road as far as
possible, stop and wait until the emergency vehicle has passed before
continuing on your walk.
- Children under 9 should not walk alone.
- Come to a complete stop at all stop
signs and obey all other road signs.
- Walk across all intersections, obeying traffic signals - never run across
an intersection.
- Never walk along or on railroad tracks and bridges. Use caution when
crossing railroad tracks. Never cross railroad tracks when signals are
flashing or you hear a train whistle.
- While dogs and puppies may be cute, it is never to early to teach children
to stay away from strange dogs, even if they are on a leash and the owner says
it is okay. Even a well known dog can pose a danger.
- Be careful with umbrellas - sharp points can injure and cause damage to
eyes.
- Look for immediate indoor shelter during thunderstorms - check the weather
before heading out.
- Skipping and throwing balls while walking should be avoided.
- Plan routes that are not too long for the age of the youngest walker.
- Consult with your local library, government offices and health departments
for booklets, programs and guides about road safety.
- If visiting a playground as part of a walk practice playground safety.
See Playground Safety Tips
- Ensure children's outwear does not have drawstrings - see
Danger of Strangulation
from Drawstrings on Children's Outerwear
Click here to return to List
Safety and Walking Gear
|
Receive a 5% discount on E-Banz Baby BanZ baby sunglasses and Kidz BanZ
sunglasses for kids are the ultimate in children's protective eyewear!
ENTER YOUR CODE FOR THE DISCOUNT - HF4K |
Click here to return to List
All tips are offered as suggestions
only. While we have tried to provide you with a list
of suggestions to help parents when travelling with
children to keep them safe, unfortunately, we can’t
think of everything and it is the responsibility of
parents to ensure their children’s safety.
|
ALSO SEE:
Biking Safety Tips
First Aid Tips
In-line Skating Safety Tips
Playground Safety Tips
Tips for Happy Feet while
Travelling
Danger of
Strangulation from Drawstrings on Children's Outerwear
First Aid Safety
Tips from St. John's Ambulance - Dangers of Spring Rivers
See the following sections for specific tips:
For General Travel Safety Tips Click
on
For Pool Safety Tips Click on
For Safety Tips when visiting Petting
Zoos and Animal Farms Click Below:
For Car Safety Tips Click on
For Hotel Safety Tips Click on
For Playground Safety Tips Click on
For Fire Safety Tips Click on
For Winter Holiday Safety Tips Click
on
For Kids Club Safety Tips Click on
For Sun Safety Tips Click on
For Safety Tips - Severe Allergic
Reactions Click on
For Safety Tips for Using Public Washrooms Click on
For First Aid Tips Click on
For Tips on Buying Safe Toys Click
Below:
For Seasonal Holiday
Safety Tips Click Below:
You may also want to check out
Travel
News - Safety Issues
Click below to return to Travel Safety Tips
|