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.

PROTECTING KIDS

According to recommendations from both the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the National Center for Safe Routes to School children under 10 are not ready to cross the street alone and should not do so.

Young children often do not have the motor skills or cognitive abilities to safely navigate being near the road.

According to the American Association of Pediatrics (AAP), with a couple very limited exceptions, children under the age of 10 should never be near the road by themselves. Due to age-appropriate developmental limitations, children under the age of 10 can struggle with scanning for traffic, judging vehicle speed/distance, anticipating driver behavior, and determining if it is safe to cross the road.

Using the front yard as a play area can be dangerous, especially for younger children, because of the proximity to traffic and the risk of driveway backovers. Play away from vehicles!

As children get a little older and their brains develop further, they gain the skills needed to safely navigate the road.

In addition to the developmental milestones, in late elementary and middle school, kids will have practiced safe behavior near the road with parents, responsible older siblings, or other trusted adults. This supervised practice teaches kids what they are supposed to do and models correct behavior for them to copy when they are by themselves.

Model Good Behavior – Children watch their parents and other adults (and older siblings) in their lives. Modelling safe behavior can help teach kids what they are supposed to do.

Supervise! – Consider your child’s age and maturity level before reducing supervision. While the 10-year-old number is a good benchmark, every kid is different and that’s ok!

Consider the Surroundings – For older children, the type of road factors into how much supervision your child needs. A quiet cul-de-sac is generally much safer than a busy state route.

Be Visible – Make sure that your child is wearing bright or reflective clothing, even during the day. Pedestrians are the smallest road users so it is important to do whatever you can to be as visible as possible.

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🚗 It's National Traffic Awareness Month!

Whether you're driving, walking, or biking, we all play a role in keeping Connecticut's roads safe. Stay focused, obey traffic laws, watch your speed, and be mindful of everyone sharing the road. Small, safe choices can help prevent crashes and protect lives.
Let's look out for one another every trip, every day. 💛

#WatchForMeCT #PedestrianSafety #TrafficAwarenessMonth
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🚗 Its National Tr

Are you a parent with questions about e-scooter safety? Check this out! ... See MoreSee Less

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🚦 It's Stop on Red Week!

A red light means stop - every time. As you approach a red light, always come to a complete stop, even if you are turning right! Stay alert, obey traffic signals, and make safety your priority every time you are behind the wheel. Together, we can protect pedestrians, bicyclists, and other drivers at intersections.
Every stop makes a difference. ❤️

#WatchForMeCT #PedestrianSafety #StopOnRedWeek
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🚦 Its Stop on Red

Winnie and Wally are ready for a summer bike ride—and they made safety their first stop! 🚲☀️

Before heading out on your next adventure, take a few minutes to make sure your bike is ready to roll. Check your tires and brakes, wear a properly fitted helmet, use hand signals when turning, and stay visible while obeying traffic signs and signals.

A little preparation can help make every ride a safe one. Where will Winnie and Wally explore next? Tell us your favorite Connecticut trail in the comments!

#WatchForMeCT #BicyclistSafety
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Winnie and Wally are

Attention West Hartford Bicycle riders! Whether you live in Weha or just ride through regularly, please take this survey to share your biggest safety concerns: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSevNytX44Zi6sihlG8_fCHdtkeHtd1MWuXBU3qXZckRMkz6JQ/viewform?usp=h...
Thank you!
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Attention West Hartf

🎨🚸 Learning about pedestrian safety can be fun!

Our updated printable coloring books help children learn important safety lessons while getting creative. From using crosswalks to looking both ways before crossing, these activities are a great way for parents, caregivers, and educators to start conversations about staying safe near roads.

Download, print, and color your way to safer habits—because it's never too early to learn how to be a safe pedestrian! 🌈✨

Get your coloring books here: ow.ly/l3hB50Zieh9

#WatchForMeCT #PedestrianSafety #SafeKids #ColorAndLearn
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🎨🚸 Learning ab

💙 This Parents' Day, let's celebrate the people who help keep us safe every day.
Parents and caregivers play an important role in teaching children safe habits, from looking both ways before crossing the street to wearing a helmet while biking and staying alert near traffic. These lessons can make a lifelong difference.
As we celebrate Parents' Day, take a moment to talk with your children about pedestrian and bicycle safety and lead by example whenever you're out on the road together. 🚸🚲
Thank you to all the parents and caregivers who help make Connecticut's roads safer for everyone!
#WatchForMeCT #PedestrianSafety
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💙 This Parents Da

🐰 Winnie knows that a few extra seconds can make all the difference! Always cross at a marked crosswalk and wait for the walk signal before stepping into the street. Even if it seems faster to cross somewhere else, choosing the safe route helps protect you and everyone around you.

Take your time, stay alert, and cross safely every time. 🚸

#WatchForMeCT #PedestrianSafety #winnieandwally
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🐰 Winnie knows th