Street Smarts
June 1st, 2009Part of keeping your kids healthy is being smart when it comes to their safety. There are a number of ways kids and families can “play it safe” during everyday activities- whether it be bike riding, after-school sports, on the playground, or in the neighborhood.
Tips for Safe Bike Riding
Bike riding can be fun and a great way for your child to be active. But make sure you and your family follow the rules of the road to always be safe.
1. ALWAYS have children wear a helmet and fasten it. Make sure the helmet fits properly when buying one.
2. Have children wear bright clothing so drivers and other bikers can see you.
3. Riding a bike after dark is not the best idea. If you need to be on the road, however, children should ask an adult and remember to put reflectors on their clothes, helmet, and bike.
4. Bikers must stop at all stop signs and traffic lights and use turning signals, just like cars.
5. Ride on the right hand side of the road, in the same direction as traffic.
6. Make sure kids know to look both ways before riding on the street or crossing the road. Try and have your kids ride on roads with little or no traffic or better yet, designated bike paths.
7. Tell the children that if they come to a busy road, walk their bike across intersections at a crosswalk.
8. Keep your children’s bike in good working condition, particularly tires to avoid getting a flat tire far away from your house.
9. Remind children to protect their bike. Lock it up or keep it in a safe place when they’re not using it.
10. Kids should always ride with a buddy–It’s more fun and they have someone to help them if they need it.
Tips for Sport Safety
Sports are a great way for kids to exercise and have fun, but make sure they take the right steps to prevent injuries.
1. Make sure your children know and play by the rules of the game. They will have more fun and play better.
2. Children should get a health check-up before each season.
3. Have kids practice good sportsmanship—Remember, this is supposed to be fun!
4. Don’t let children play if they feel sick.
5. Teach kids to warm up before playing and cool down when they are done to avoid injuries.
6. Make children aware of what sports equipment is required and make sure they use the gear correctly and it fits properly such as helmets or knee guards.
7. Mouth guards are very important, especially if your child has braces.
8. If your child is a boy, make sure he wears an athletic supporter.
9. If your child wears glasses, consider getting plastic lenses.
10. Tell kids to drink lots of water, especially on really hot days.
11. To prevent sunburn have your kids wear sunscreen and a hat if possible.
12. Never let your child play if they are in pain. Tell your child to stop and tell an adult if something hurts.
Neighborhood Safety
When it’s nice outside, get the kids off the couch and play outside! Consider letting them take a walk or play a game of tag with their friends. Here’s a couple of reminders, though, when playing outside for better safety for your kids.
1. Teach your children what traffic signs mean and how to follow the rules.
2. Before crossing a street, kids should know to stop at the curb or edge of the road and never run into the street after balls or pets.
3. Tell children to look and listen for cars and trucks to the left, then to the right and then to the left again.
4. Kids should learn to cross at the street corner and walk in the painted lines if the road has them.
5. In general, avoid letting children play near busy roads or intersections.
6. Inform children to never walk or run between parked cars as drivers cannot see small children.
7. Have kids practice the buddy system! Children should always walk with a friend or a parent.
8. Children should never play in the driveway or behind a parked car where drivers cannot see them.
9. Tell children to never get into a stranger’s car.
Tips for Playground Safety
When its nice outside, the best place to bring the kids is the playground. There is always so much for them to do!
Merry-go-rounds
- Tell kids to make sure the merry-go-round stops before they get on.
- They should sit in the middle, hold onto the bar or handles, and don’t let go to avoid injury.
- Let the kids know that they should not get off the merry-go-round until it has stopped.
Jungle Gym, Climber, Monkey Bars
- Kids should not play on them if they can’t reach the bars.
- Tell kids to hold on with two hands.
- Don’t let children hold on upside-down.
- Kids should never climb up on top of the bars.
Seesaws
- Always have child sit facing the other rider.
- Tell kids to hold on with both hands.
- Tell kids to keep their feet out from under the board.
- Make sure the children know to let the other rider know when they are getting off.
Slides
- Make sure kids hold onto rails when climbing up the ladder.
- Make sure your children don’t have loose strings on their clothes.
- Tell children to keep their shoes tied so their laces don’t get caught.
- They should always slide down feet first.
- Tell kids to wait their turn, and make sure no one else is on the slide before they go.
- Children should know to never run up the slide.
Swings
- Make sure your child sits in the center of the swing.
- Teach kids not to walk or run in front or back of the swings.
- Kids should never stand on a swing.
- Make sure kids don’t get off or jump from the swing until it has stopped.
