International Walk to School Day

I’m easily reminded that the school year is in full swing when I see all the children in our neighborhood racing to catch the bus or walk to school each morning. With my own son only a few years away from his first day of kindergarten, I’m beginning to pay close attention to ways parents can help keep their children safe when they walk to school each day.

That’s one of the reasons I’m proud that FedEx continues to team up with Safe Kids USA to support the Safe Kids Walk This Way program to educate children, parents and drivers about pedestrian safety – especially in and around school zones.

This Wednesday on October 6^th, millions of children around the world will participate in International Walk to School Day. Here in the United States, more than 750 schools and 160 Safe Kids USA coalitions will hold community events to help spread awareness about walking safety. To find out if your local school is participating, just check out their website. I’ve also got some helpful tips from FedEx and Safe Kids to help spread awareness about pedestrian safety in school zones:

Child pedestrians should:

• Always cross the street with an adult until age 10
• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks
• Look left, right and left again when crossing
• Always walk, never run, when crossing streets
• Walk on sidewalks or paths
• Walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible if there are no sidewalks
• Never run out into the street or cross in between parked cars
• Wear a properly fitting helmet every time they ride a bicycle

• Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods and school zones
• Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs
• Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully
• Watch for children on and near the road in the morning and after school hours
• Remember that children may move in unpredictable ways
• Reduce any distractions inside your car so you can
• Concentrate on the road and your surroundings
• Never leave a child alone in a vehicle
• Always lock car doors and trunks and keep keys out of children’s reach

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