Be Safe Be Seen this Winter

The Co-Operative Funeralcare will be helping thousands of children to stay safe on the streets now that the clocks have gone back, by providing high visibility reflective 'Be Safe Be Seen' badges to children through primary schools and youth groups around the country. Over the past 5 years 160,000 badges have been distributed to youngsters helping to make them more visible to drivers, especially as it gets darker in the evenings. Popping a badge on to a coat or onto the strap of a rucksack really makes a difference to the child's visibility and makes sure that they are seen.

In addition to the badges, road safety lessons and assemblies (prepared in conjunction with Brake the road safety charity) have been delivered to school children aged 3-7, as a part of the Be Safe Be Seen campaign.  It's an excellent way to raise awareness about road safety and reminds us to all to be extra vigilant.  The safety of our children is a prime concern for everyone.

Over 2000 children under the age of 16 are killed or seriously injured on our roads every year* with pedestrians making up over a half of those killed and two thirds of those seriously injured.  In the winter months when evenings get dark earlier, young pedestrians are at their most vulnerable, but there are precautions that can be taken to keep them safe.

Here are some simple steps to teach children how to stay safe when out and about this winter:

• Wear high visibility clothing or accessories (like the Be Safe Be Seen badges from The Co-Operative Funeralcare) to make yourself more visible to drivers.
• Look out for hidden entrances or driveways when crossing pavements.
• Make sure you walk on the side of pavements away from the traffic.
• When crossing the road always choose a safe place and time to cross. It’s always safer to cross at a pedestrian or patrolled crossing.
• Avoid crossing between parked cars as drivers won’t be able to see you until it’s possibly too late.
• It’s important to stop at the curb, look both ways and listen to traffic before crossing. 
• Pedestrian crossings can still be dangerous if care is not taken. You should wait on the pavement until all the traffic from both directions has stopped. 
• Islands are often provided in the middle of the road, and you should treat each half as a separate crossing.
• Avoid playing near busy roads as you may forget your surroundings and become unaware of the dangers on the road.

Here is a video from The Co-Operative Funeralcare Be Safe Be Seen campaign about road safety. It's vital that our children are reminded of the importance of taking care on the streets so we can help keep them safe.

       


Parents can contact their local Co-Operative Funeralcare branch to order the high visibility badges for children's schools or find out more online at http://www.co-operativefuneralcare.co.uk/besafebeseen/

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* Figure taken from the Child Accident Prevention Trust report 2011