Walking is a great way to get some fresh air and exercise and to spend time with your family. When adults and children walk to together, they learn safe pedestrian and bicycling behaviors; increase the amount of physical activity they’re getting; and get to spend quality time together. The Metropolitan Police Department wants to help parents ensure their children are well-educated on how to get around safely. Children need to know how to protect themselves when crossing the street, riding the school bus, riding a bicycle, or playing on the playground. Young children should be provided additional attention to ensure they are familiar with common safeguards when crossing the street and dealing with strangers.

Whether walking alone or with an adult, young people should be aware of the following suggestions for helping to protect your children when they’re walking to school, the park or any other activity:

• Look both ways before crossing the street.
• Never run into the street; when you come to the curb, STOP; then look both ways.
• Never run between cars into the street.
• Be sure to cross the street at a cross walk or where the crossing guard is. Only walk when the signal flashes the walk sign or when a crossing guard says it’s okay.
• Walk on the sidewalk, not in the street.
• Wear clothing that allows drivers and people to see you. That means no dark clothes after dark or early in the morning. If you have to be out in the dark, be sure to put reflective tape on your coat.
• Don’t talk to strangers, take anything from them, or go anywhere with them.