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Let's Teach Safety

© Kimberly Moore.

Spring is upon us. We have already have had a few nice warm spring days that have come and gone. Nature's bounty is springing forth around us, and it is great for us to go out and enjoy the outdoors. Many fun activities await us outside. Activities, which if safety is not in force, can turn tragic.

One of the most popular of these activities is bicycle riding. Kids often ride down the middle of residential streets, or if they do ride to one side, are on the wrong side of the road. They many times do not signal before a turn, nor stop at traffic signs. Helmets are usually not on their heads, if they even have one. The fact is that the rules of the road apply to bicycles as much as they do to cars. Failure to wear a helmet can in many places even lead to a ticket for the parent, and if your child hits their head during an accident, can lead to a very preventable end result of severe injury or even death.

Children also need to be aware if they are riding a bike, or even a scooter that crosswalks are for pedestrians. That means they must dismount before actually crossing. This is for the safety of any pedestrians who may be in the vicinity of the crossing. They should also be made very aware of the limitations to a vehicle driver's field of vision.

A great way to demonstrate this is to have your child sit in the front seat of a parked car. Have another child stand off to the side of the car where they could be if level with the driver. Have your child see where the blind spots are by looking around, and the limited views that the mirrors give. Finally, have your child get on their bike or scooter in front of the parked car. Have them look at where the parts of the car are in relation to their body. Ask them what they think would happen if it hit them. Point out to them that a truck or minivan is much taller and ask them what would happen if that were to collide with them.

Okay, you say, I have done this and talked until I am blue in the face, but they just take off the helmet when they leave. This is where the most important thing about teaching commitment to safety comes into play. Remember you are the parent. If this is a problem, then you need to enforce the safety issue. No helmet on, no bike or scooter. Not following the rules of the road? No bike or scooter. This may sound harsh, but if an adult was driving recklessly, and was caught, there would be severe consequences. Your child needs to learn that being safe is a necessary part of having fun, whether outdoors or in. After all, accidents can just take the fun out of your entire life.