(8/07/12) – Since 2000, an average of 355 unintentional pedestrian fatalities among children ages 14 and under has occurred each year. In addition, pedestrian injury remains the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 5 to 14. Many of these deaths could be prevented with pedestrian education, improvements to pedestrian routes, and increased law enforcement.

McLeod Safe Kids Pee Dee/Coastal reminds families to take caution during Pedestrian Safety Month (August) as well as year-round with these safety tips.

Set a Good Example

• Cross streets safely. Cross at a corner, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Try to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them. Do not assume that because you can see the driver, the driver can see you.

• Look left, right, and left again when crossing, and keep looking as you cross. Walk, do not run, across the street.

• Walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.

• Be a safe pedestrian around cars. Watch for cars that are turning or backing up.

• Parents and kids should hold hands in parking lots.

For more information about child safety, call Safe Kids Pee Dee/Coastal at (843) 777-5021 to speak to an Injury Prevention Specialist or visit www.McLeodSafeKids.org.

Safe Kids Pee Dee/Coastal, led by McLeod Health, works to prevent accidental childhood injury, the leading cause of death in children 14 and under. Safe Kids Pee Dee/Coastal is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations dedicated to preventing accidental injury. Safe Kids Pee Dee/Coastal is funded in part by the McLeod Health Foundation.