For Immediate Release

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Wenham Police Department Provides Tips for Summer Safety

WENHAM — With the school year almost over, Chief Thomas Perkins and the Wenham Police Department would like to offer residents tips to help ensure that everyone has a safe and fun summer.

“Summer is a great time for kids to have fun and play outdoors,” said Chief Perkins. “We encourage parents to go over the following advice with their children, especially if children will be walking to friends’ houses or parks, or if they will be spending an extended period of time outside.”

Safe Kids Worldwide provides the following tips on pedestrian safety:

• Look left, right and left again before crossing the street. Keep looking until safely across the street.
• Walk on sidewalks or paths. Use street corners or crosswalks and traffic signals to cross.
• Put phones and devices down when crossing the street. Turn the volume down on devices or headphones.
• Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street.
• Children under 10 should cross the street with an adult. Typically, most kids under age 10 cannot accurately judge the speed and distance of oncoming cars.
• When it is dark outside, wear brightly-colored clothing and reflective gear.
• Teach kids to stay alert for cars that are turning or backing up, and instruct them not to run out into the street or cross between parked cars.

Adults can encourage children to stay safe around cars by modeling the proper behavior. While driving, residents should make an extra effort to stay alert and keep an eye out for children who might be around their car.

Warmer weather means that kids are more likely to be out riding bikes, skateboards, skates and other wheeled vehicles during the hours that they would otherwise be at school. Drivers should be cognizant of increased bike traffic, in particular, and remember to share the road with cyclists.

Helmets can protect against serious injury, and parents are encouraged to require their children to wear them. Additional protective pads like knee-pads, wrist-guards and elbow-pads can also help lessen injuries from falls or crashes.

Compared to adults, children are more susceptible to heat-related illness due to over-exposure. During extreme temperatures, parents should be aware of how long kids are staying outside.

The American Red Cross recommends doing the following in order to stay cool:

• Stay hydrated by drink plenty of fluids.
• Avoid extreme temperature changes.
• Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors that absorb the sun’s rays.
• Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day.
• Postpone outdoor games and activities during extreme heat.

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