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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Winnie wants to remind everyone that parking lots and driveways require just as much attention as busy roads. Always stay alert and look carefully when walking behind parked vehicles in case they begin to back up unexpectedly. And kids, don’t forget to always hold an adult’s hand while walking through parking lots and driveways. 🦘💛
#WatchForMeCT #PedestrianSafety #WinnieAndWally
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Winnie wants to remi

Father figures play an important role in shaping safe habits for the next generation. This Father’s Day, dads and father figures can help lead by example by talking with family and friends about the importance of safe driving habits, staying focused behind the wheel, and watching carefully for others on the road. As summer activities increase, drivers are reminded to stay alert and vigilant wherever they travel. Find helpful safety resources at ow.ly/TxvK50YZP2i #WatchForMeCT #PedestrianSafety ... See MoreSee Less

Father figures play

This Sunday marks the first day of summer, bringing warmer weather, school break, and increased pedestrian activity in neighborhoods and near roadways. It’s a great reminder for drivers to stay alert, slow down, and watch carefully for children and families walking, biking, and crossing the street. Explore helpful safety tips and resources at ow.ly/AvnW50YZP0W #WatchForMeCT #ShareTheRoad #DriveSafe ... See MoreSee Less

This Sunday marks th

Photos from Branford Police Department's post ... See MoreSee Less

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⭕🚗 More Than Just Speed Bumps: Roundabouts
Roundabouts help traffic move more smoothly — and they make intersections safer, too. According to the Federal Highway Administration, roundabouts can reduce deadly and serious injury crashes by more than 80%.
Not sure how to use a single-lane roundabout? Just remember YES:
🟡 Y — Yield to pedestrians and traffic already in the roundabout
🟡 E — Enter when there’s a safe opening
🟡 S — Signal before exiting
Slow down, stay alert, and help keep traffic flowing safely.
#WatchForMeCT #PedestrianSafety
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⭕🚗 More Than Ju

Charge large lithium-ion batteries, such as the ones for e-bikes, outside! ... See MoreSee Less

Charge large lithium