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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This weekend, June 6–7, Connecticut Trails Day invites residents and visitors to explore the beauty of our state’s trails, parks, and outdoor spaces. Whether you’re walking, running, or biking, remember to stay alert and share the trail and roadway responsibly to help keep everyone safe while enjoying the outdoors.
Learn more about Connecticut Trails Day events happening across the state: ow.ly/JPTg50YZOUb
#WatchForMeCT #BicyclistSafety
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This weekend, June 6

A reminder from Winnie! Always make eye contact with drivers before you cross the road. A wave or glance can help confirm that a driver sees you before you step into the roadway. Staying alert and making sure drivers are aware of you is an important part of safe walking habits. 🦘💛
#WatchForMeCT #PedestrianSafety #winnieandwally
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A reminder from Winn

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🚶‍♀️ Summer Safety Tips for Parents
Kids learn how to navigate roads by watching the adults around them.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children generally should not be near roads alone until around age 10, after developing the skills needed to navigate traffic safely. Even then, practice and supervision still matter.
💡 Help build safe habits by:
✔️ Looking left, right, then left again before crossing
✔️ Making eye contact with drivers
✔️ Modeling safe walking and biking behavior every time
Safe habits start early.
#WatchForMeCT #PedestrianSafety
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👨‍👩‍👧�

Wethersfield’s Bikes on Main is a great reminder that warmer weather means more cyclists on our roads. There’s still time to stroll through Old Wethersfield and check out these incredible bikes! Wherever you’re headed, remember to share the road so everyone can get home safely. 🚲

Bike Walk Wethersfield

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Safer streets don’t happen by accident. Communities across Connecticut are making big changes to improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists, from better crosswalks and sidewalks to protected bike lanes and redesigned intersections.

Watch the video featuring Anna Stern to see how towns are creating safer, more connected communities for everyone. 🚶‍♀️🚲

Learn more at ow.ly/hl8250Z17tB.

#WatchForMeCT #VisionZero #BikeSafety #PedestrianSafety #SafeStreets
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As families gather this Memorial Day, it’s the perfect time to talk with children about how to safely play near roadways. Remind kids to stay out of the street, use sidewalks when available, and always check with an adult before crossing or playing near traffic. Simple conversations like these can help build safe habits that last all summer long. #WatchForMeCT #PedestrianSafety ... See MoreSee Less

As families gather t

Winnie wants to remind everyone that it’s always safest to ride your bicycle in the same direction as traffic. Riding with traffic helps make your movements more predictable to drivers, especially at intersections, driveways, and when vehicles are turning. Following the flow of traffic is a simple step that helps keep everyone safer on Connecticut’s roads. #WatchForMeCT #BicyclistSafety #WinnieAndWally ... See MoreSee Less

Winnie wants to remi

Curious about the rules of the road when it comes to pedestrians and crosswalks? Amy Watkins of Watch for Me CT breaks it down in this helpful video.

Visit our website for more information: ow.ly/WN0w50Z175e

#WatchForMeCT #pedestrians #crosswalks
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