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Safe Kids Emerald Coast: Walking Safety
10/29/09 - 11:00 AM

Safe Kids Emerald Coast

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Panama City Beach, Fl. - It is with deep sorrow that Safe Kids Emerald Coast learns about a childhood pedestrian fatality this morning. On the West End of Panama City Beach this morning around 7:00am two children were struck by a moving vehicle, while crossing Front Beach Road to get to their school bus stop. One child was taken to Bay Medical Center with serious injuries, and unfortunately one child died at the scene of the accident. “We are all saddened and our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and those involved in this tragic accident” said Safe Kids Emerald Coast Coordinator Terry Parris,

To help keep kids safe while walking, Safe Kids Emerald Coast offers the following pedestrian safety tips:
• 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. Don’t 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; don’t 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, and while crossing roads.
• Never allow children under age 10 to cross streets alone. Adult supervision is essential until you are sure a child had good traffic skills and judgment.
• Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.
• Make sure children know to cross 10 feet in front of a school bus, NEVER behind, and to wait for adults on the same side of the street as the school bus loading or unloading zone.
• Teach your children never to run out into a street for a ball, a pet or for any other reason.
• Buy clothing and accessories incorporating retroreflective materials for your family to wear at dawn and dusk, in the evening and during other low-light situations such as rainy or foggy weather. A flashlight or glow stick works great and should be carried.
• Parents, talk often with your children and make sure they understand the importance of pedestrian safety

“Our goal is to try and prevent these tragedies from happening again and to keep our children safe” said Terry Parris (Safe Kids Emerald Coast Coordinator).
For more information about pedestrian safety, call Safe Kids Emerald Coast at or visit www.usa.safekids.org. Safe Kids Emerald Coast works to prevent accidental childhood injury, the leading killer of children 14 and under. Safe Kids Emerald Coast was founded in April 2009 and is led by Panama City Beach Fire Rescue