Walk This Way Pedestrian Safety Tips

• Walk. Do not run into the street.
• Look left, right and left again before crossing the street.
• Do not cross the street alone if younger than age 10.
• Use sidewalks.
• Walk facing road traffic if there are no sidewalks.
• Cross using available traffic and pedestrian signals.
• Dress in light colors and wear reflective material so drivers can easily see you.
• Do not walk or bike at night.
• Do not play in driveways, streets, parking lots or yards that are unfenced and near a street.
• Pay attention to signals indicating a car will be moving (rear lights, exhaust smoke, sound of motor, wheels turning).
• Use extra caution when crossing multiple-lane and high-speed streets.
• Encourage children to walk in groups.

 

Falls

• Keep chairs, cribs and other furniture away from windows.
• Do not leave a baby alone on a changing table, bed, couch or other furniture. Keep one hand on the baby while changing diapers.
• Always strap a baby into a high chair, swing, changing table or stroller.
• Play at playgrounds with rubber, wood, mulch or sand surfaces. Grass and dirt are not as good at preventing serious injuries. Avoid asphalt.
• Use safety gates or other barriers at the top and bottom of stairs.

 

Poison

• Read labels and find out which household products or plants are poisonous. If you are not sure, keep it where children can not reach it.
• Lock up poisons and medicines out of sight and reach of children.
• Do not take medicine in front of children. They might try to copy you.
• Never leave potentially poisonous household products unattended while you are using them.
• Throw away old medicine and cleaning products.

 

Burns

• Do not leave children unattended around open flames, stoves, fireworks or candles.
• Keep matches, gasoline, lighters, fireworks and other flammable materials out of children’s reach.
• Keep hot foods and liquids away from table and counter edges. Never carry children and hot foods or liquids at the same time.

 

Drowning

• Always supervise children near water. Do not leave them alone, even for a moment.
• Use a barrier like a fence to keep children away from pools or other bodies of water.
• Empty and turn over all water containers after you use them.
• Teach children to swim when they're ready, usually after age 4.
• Teach children to never run, push, or jump on others around water.
• Teach children never to swim alone.