Walking to School - The Safe Way

With the increased media attention around the rising rates of childhood obesity, there is an awareness that children need to be more physically active. Walking to school gives children an excellent opportunity to incorporate physical activity into their daily schedule. It also helps to decrease the congestion of cars in the school drop off zone; therefore, increasing the safety of children as they make their way into the school grounds. Decreased car congestion also means less gas and fume emissions for the children to breathe in as they pass through this area.
An adult or older child should always accompany children under the age of nine. Children this age do not have the sight, hearing, height, perception and mental development of an adult’s decreasing their ability to accurately assess the safety of crossing roads.
Tips for fun and safe walking:

• Teach children to “Stop, Look, and Listen before crossing the street. Use your eyes and ears before your feet.
• Cross at designated crosswalks whenever possible, but don’t assume cars will automatically stop.
• Walk on sidewalks.
• Stop and check for traffic at alleyways, mall entrances and driveways before crossing.
• Buddy children in partners or groups to walk together.
• Walk with your child to determine the safest route to take.
• Organise and participate in a walking school bus.
• Talk to the principal about a safe drop off zone for when you do need to drive.
• Drop your child a couple of blocks from school to allow him/her to walk. This will also cut down on the backlog of cars in the “drop off zone”.

For more information on pedestrian safety or the Walking School bus, contact Ottawa Public Health @ 613-580-6744 or Ottawa.ca/health or contact Elyse McCann at the EnviroCentre @ 613-580-6744 ext. 27399 or visit Safe Kids Canada at www.sickkids.ca/safekidscanada.