Here are some simple rules to reinforce and practice with your children. Remember your child’s limitations; children under 10 years of age are developmentally limited when it comes to judging speed and distance accurately, and very young children may not be able to read the street and pedestrian signs yet.

We all feel that Peaks Island is a safe environment for our children, but we caution all families not to have a false sense of security. Please be sure to review the following with your children:

• Stay with someone you know. Always walk with at least one friend.
• Never leave school with anyone other than a parent after signing out with the office.
• Tell a trusted adult if a stranger is hanging around the school, playground, or public bathroom.
• If you arrive home alone, call your parent or other trusted adult to let them know you are home and safe. Keep the door locked, don’t open the door for strangers, and don’t tell strangers that you are home alone.
• Never accept things from a stranger.
• Don’t go anywhere with a stranger.
• Be aware of your surroundings especially on the docks or near the water.

Walking Safety Tips

• Walk on the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk and you have to walk in the road, face the traffic so that you can see cars coming and keep as far from the roadway (as far away from the traffic) as possible.
• Cross only at corners or crosswalks
• Stop at the curb or edge of the road, look left, then right, and then left again (left right- left) before you step into the street. If a car is parked where you are crossing, make sure there is no driver in the car. Then go to the edge of the car and look left right-left until no cars are coming. Keep looking for cars while you are crossing.
• Walk, don’t run. This gives time for drivers to see you before you enter the roadway.

Bicycling Safety Tips

• Always wear a helmet that is properly fitted and complies with Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Standards.
• Ride on the right side of the road or trail in a single file (one bicycle behind another) in the same direction as other vehicles and come to a complete stop before crossing streets.
• Always use proper hand signals when turning and stopping.
• Use a bicycle bell, if you have one, to alert pedestrians that you are passing (this is effective for preventing crashes).