July is here and that means that many of us are enjoying hot weather. If you have little ones, then you’re probably thinking of ways to keep them entertained during the summer holidays, or perhaps you’re planning a family vacation abroad. Whatever you do, chances are your kids will be outside making the most of the sunshine.
When you’re out and about, keeping your kids safe and healthy is always your number one priority, but what about those times when you’re not there? To help, here are some simple pieces of road safety advice that you can teach your kids.
The Green Cross Code
When it comes to crossing a road, you’ve probably taught your kids to always wait for the green man, or to use pedestrian crossings. But when they’re out and about having a good time with friends, their attention can sometimes slip.
To keep them safe, teach them the Green Cross Code. This comes in five easy stages: think (find a safe place to cross), stop (in a safe place near the kerb), look (in both directions), listen (sometimes you can hear traffic before you can see it), and cross (when there is no traffic).
The Dangers of Technology
Almost every child now owns a mobile phone and while it’s great that you can get in touch with them and always know where they are, they can be a hazard, too. With apps, internet access and a huge number of friends to text, a mobile phone is also a huge distraction, which is problematic when it comes to road safety. To avoid a dangerous situation, make sure your kids know to put their phone away when they cross a road.
Beware of Parked Cars
Children can be complacent around parked cars, forgetting that someone could be waiting to pull out onto the road. Make sure they know that a parked car doesn’t always mean it’s safe to cross. Teach them to only cross the road when they have a clear, unrestricted view and are at a good distance from any parked vehicles.
Familiar Routes
If your kids don’t know where they’re going and become lost, they could panic and make irrational decisions which could lead to an accident. To help them stay safe, make sure they have familiar routes to follow. Teach them how to get to school, the local park, or friend’s houses, so that they are aware of any dangers and know where to cross.
Hopefully this will help you keep your kids safe this summer, and help to prevent you from worrying! To make sure they’re always aware of road safety, print this Road Safety Poster and hang it on your fridge.
Have your taught your kids road safety rules?
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We live on a very busy A road which comes off the M6 Motorway so we have to be up on our road safety and be very vigilant as well. It is a shame that sometimes with even the best road safety training, kids still can get hurt as drivers do not remain alert. Great post and something I will go over with Nathan this summer to make sure he is aware xx
Vicky@AMumIspired recently posted…Single mum confessions
Ah it drives me mad when I see teenagers walking with earphones in and staring at a phone screen. They are in another world and it’s so dangerous! Good advice here.
Actually Mummy… recently posted…Home: Boys Room Makeover (part 1) GLTC Bunk Bed
Great advice.
My children are very sensible when I’m with them but I’m not so sure how they are when they’re with their friends. I’ll make sure to have a reminder talk with them though x x
Cass@frugalfamily recently posted…My Week {5th July 2015}….
Every time I go out with the girls and their bikes we head straight to the park. at least there the only thing that can happen is a fall!
Otilia recently posted…Parenting Pin-It Party #112
Such a timely reminder that we need to pass on to our little folk as the holidays and playing outside starts.
Emma recently posted…Creating a child’s dust free room to help with asthma
Such an important message and with so many children being driven everywhere, it is even more important. My kids are awful when it comes to road safety but they don’t often walk anywhere so it is doubly important to get these messages across
Nikki Thomas recently posted…Living Arrows Week 27
really good advice thank you x
becky recently posted…How to increase a child’s positive attitude
Great advice. I’ve found my boys used to be so careful when we lived in the city but now we’re in a quiet village they are getting a little too relaxed about crossing the road because they don’t expect much traffic.
Cat (Yellow Days) recently posted…Holiday Bedtime Tips
We honestly nearly nudged a mum with a pram wheeling her baby around a car park whilst looking at her phone. So unsafe.
Lulastic recently posted…I’m jealous of my four year old
My eldest is very responsible (he’s 9) but his six-year-old brother doesn’t listen to a thing I say. I do worry about his road safety awareness. Time for another talk I think
Donna@MummyCentral recently posted…Acceptance: When a marriage is over
Some great tips here, I am dreading the day when mine get mobile phones and are even more distracted.
Emma recently posted…Making the most of every moment