Stay safe this summer!!

Stay safe this summer!!

So the evenings are getting longer and the weather is getting better. HORRAY!! This means we can get out and about more, football training is starting back and we will be able to stay outside without worrying about getting drenched.

With all this sunshine around, (ever the optimist here) we need to be extra careful. Are children now allowed to walk to school now that the weather is better? The RSA (Road Safety Authority) have published lots of information telling us how to be safe on the roads. Firstly we must adhere to the safe cross code. If walking in towns or cities, always use pedestrian crossings to cross the road. Never cross unless it is safe to do so and you have followed all the rules of the safe cross code. If you are walking on country roads, you should never cross at a corner, or if there is a hill which you cannot see over.

BE SAFE, BE SEEN

It is very important that pedestrians or cyclists (of all ages) can be seen on the roads by motorists. The only way to ensure this is to wear reflective or hi-visibility clothing. It is a good idea to have a reflective badge on your school bag also so that you can be seen from behind. Bicycles should have reflectors on their wheels also. These simple things can stop terrible accidents from happening.

Follow the link ( http://www.rsa.ie/RSA/Road-Safety/Road-safety-for-kids/ )to the RSA site to find all the information, test how roadwise you are by taking a test and by playing a Roadwise computer game. Watch the cycling to school cartoon video to find out more do’s and don’ts to being more active on your bike.

EXCELLENT EXERCISE

So we all know the benefits of exercise and being active outside (if you don’t - read the section on exercise in both the kids and parents section). It is vitally important for our health and wellbeing. Oh and how the good weather makes exercising more easily achieved and fun. Cycling to and from school is a great way to fit exercise into our daily routine but maybe it would also benefit Mum or Dad. The RSA suggest that any child under 12 should not be cycling or walking to school without being accompanied by an adult.

We are all aware how we need our exercise and we love nothing more than a bike ride with our friends or going across town to the basketball court to shoot some hoops and by following the rules of the road and staying safe we can all enjoy the exercise and physical activity in the surroundings provided my mother nature.

Stay Safe!