How are your children getting to school today?  Give them some top tips about staying safe.

On  average 20 to 25 children go to Jersey's Emergency Department because they have been hit by a car every year.  If your child is walking to school today, talk to them about the importance of finding a safe place to cross the road.  Then it's stop, look and listen as you cross.  Bare in mind that pelican pedestrian crossings are a hot spot for accidents.  They are a safe place to cross but seeing a green man does not always mean the cars have stopped.  So check they have stopped before you cross and keep checking as you walk - remember to stop texting, speaking on your phone or listening to your iPod just while you cross.

Cycling to school?  Having taken part in a cycle proficiency course is a must.  Then it's wearing the right sized cycle helmet on every journey.  It should fit your head and sit squarely on the top with the strap done up finger tight and the toggles on the straps secured just under the ears.  Helmet legislation is on its way so wearing a helmet now is good practice.

If going to school in a car seatbelts are the key.  If the child is under the age of 12 and smaller than 1.35 meters a child safety seat or booster seat is needed.  Seatbelts are not designed to fit you unless you are over a certain height.  Using a seat lifts the body up so the belt sits on bony parts of strength to protect you if there was a crash.  Seatbelts need to be worn in the front and back of the car.  The lap seat belt should be the last seatbelt used as this offers less protection. 

Click here for more information on road safety