Winnie & Wally!
At Watch for Me CT, we believe the best way to keep our communities safe is by teaching safe habits early. Winnie’s role is to show grown-ups how important it is to lead by example, while her joey, Wally reminds us that little eyes are always watching and learning. Together, they help families talk about safety in a fun, memorable way.
🚌 Back-to-School Means Safety First
School is back in session, and that means new routines and new traffic patterns.
As students head to bus stops, walk to school, and parents navigate drop-off lines, our roads become much busier.
A few simple reminders:
⏰ Leave a few extra minutes for your commute.
🚸 Watch for children crossing the street and walking near roadways.
🚗 Be patient as everyone adjusts to the new school-year routine.
A little extra time and awareness can make everyone's commute safer and less stressful.
#BackToSchool #DriveSafe #SchoolSafety #RoadSafety ... See MoreSee Less
Last week, Watch for Me CT’s Amy Watkins joined state leaders and other officials for a back-to-school press conference focused on keeping Connecticut’s students safe.
Amy, along with other key leaders, continue to stress the importance of cautious driving as students return to their daily morning and afternoon commutes, reminding drivers to stay alert and watch for children walking, biking, and crossing the road.
Amy also offered safety tips for parents and caregivers when it comes to e-bikes, including ways to help make sure kids are riding safely.
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🚶♀️🚲 Road Safety Starts Early! 🚲🚶♂️
Help keep young pedestrians and bicyclists safe by teaching them the basics of road safety. Children under 10 often have difficulty judging traffic, vehicle speed, and safe crossing opportunities, which is why adult supervision is so important.
In this carousel, Winnie and Wally share key tips for:
✅ Walking safely near roads
✅ Crossing streets the right way
✅ Riding bikes safely and wearing a properly fitted helmet
✅ Following the rules of the road
Swipe through to learn simple ways to help children stay safe while walking and biking. 💛
#WatchForMeCT #PedestrianSafety #BicyclistSafety #RoadSafety #SafeKids #trafficsafety #WalkSafe #bikesafe ... See MoreSee Less
A new NBC News report highlights a concerning rise in e-bike and e-scooter injuries among children and teens, with emergency room visits increasing by more than 600% over the past three years.
As these devices become more common, it’s more important than ever for young riders to understand how to stay safe and for parents and caregivers to reinforce safe riding habits.
Watch the full segment: ow.ly/YtIv50ZEKw3
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E-bike injuries surge in kids and teens
ow.ly
New data shows emergency room visits for e-bike and e-scooter injuries among kids and teens have jumped more than 600 percent in the last three years. Our team traveled to Madison, Wisconsin, where on...🔋 E-bike batteries help power your ride—but using and storing them safely is just as important.
While battery fires are uncommon, taking a few simple precautions can help reduce the risk and keep you, your family, and your home safe. Swipe through to discover five simple ways to properly charge, store, and care for your e-bike battery while reducing the risk of battery fires.
Safe habits start before you hit the road. 🚲⚡
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Winnie and Wally never head out on a summer adventure without their safety checklist! ☀️🦘🚲
Whether you're riding your bike, walking to the park, or exploring your neighborhood, a little preparation can make a big difference. Remember to wear a properly fitted helmet when biking, bring water to stay hydrated, wear bright or reflective clothing, look left, right, then left again before crossing, and put your phone away so you can stay focused on your surroundings.
With a few simple safety habits, every summer adventure can be a fun one. Where are Winnie and Wally headed next? Tell us your favorite summer destination in Connecticut! 🌳
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⚡ E-Scooter Safety Tips ⚡
There has been a recent rise in e-scooter injuries in our state. Though e-scooters are a fun way to get around, parents of young children should think twice before letting their child ride one. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends that due to the difficulty of balancing and steering, children 9-12 should not ride on anything motorized that goes faster than 10 mph. The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommends that children under 16 not operate electric scooters due to the lack of developmental skills and judgment to do so safely. If you feel your child has the physical and mental ability to operate an e-scooter safely, here are some safety tips to keep in mind:
• Wear a Helmet: Most head injuries happen to children not wearing a helmet. Choose the right helmet for the speed of the device, and wear it every time.
• Other safety gear: Riders should also wear elbow pads, knee pads and wrist guards, as they protect the areas commonly injured in a fall. Wear closed toe footwear to protect feet. High-visibility or reflective gear and lights should be worn at night.
• Ride in a safe area: Find areas where kids can ride safely and separately from cars. When that isn’t an option, try to identify where they can at least ride with minimal traffic and bumps in the road. Always ensure a rider is supervised by an adult, particularly near intersections or busy areas.
• Practice riding: Ensure your rider knows how to use an electric scooter properly. Practice braking smoothly and consistently at high speeds. Teach them basic traffic rules (stop signs, hand signals) so they can communicate safely when riding. Never allow riders to ride double on a device designed for a single rider. ... See MoreSee Less
🚦 Privacy Matters with Traffic Safety Cameras
Traffic safety cameras are designed to make our roads safer, not to invade your privacy.
When municipalities use traffic safety cameras, strict privacy protections are required:
🔒 All images and data are encrypted from the moment they're captured.
📋 Information can only be used to process traffic violations.
🚫 Data cannot be shared except as needed to collect the fine.
🗑️ Most data must be deleted within 30 days after the fine is resolved.
📅 Only limited information may be retained for up to one year to identify repeat violations, after which it must also be deleted within 12 months.
Safety and privacy can go hand in hand when strong safeguards are in place.
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Volunteers needed! Charity Bike Ride September 12 in Windsor. Contact [email protected] ... See MoreSee Less