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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Winter conditions often bring people outdoors to clear sidewalks and driveways near roadways. Drivers should slow down, stay alert, and watch for individuals using shovels or snow blowers close to the street—especially during low-light hours. A little extra caution can help keep everyone safe.

#WatchForMeCT #WinterSafety
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Winter conditions of

🌙🚶‍♀️ Most pedestrian crashes happen in the dark.

Why? Headlights only reach so far, and drivers need time to see a hazard, react, and slow down. According to the Federal Highway Administration, better lighting helps drivers spot pedestrians and other hazards sooner—giving them more time to respond.
💡 The impact is significant: Improved lighting can reduce nighttime pedestrian crashes by up to 42%.

Good lighting saves lives. Seeing sooner means reacting sooner.

#WatchForMeCT #PedestrianSafety #NightSafety #SafeStreets #VisionZero
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🌙🚶‍♀️ Mo

Ever wonder which kind of helmet is good for you? Amy Watkins breaks down different helmet options, the protection they offer, and who is legally required to wear a helmet under state law.

#WatchForMeCT #BicyclistSafety
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All bicyclists in Connecticut should use designated bike lanes whenever they are available. Bike lanes help create safer separation from vehicle traffic, improve visibility, and make movements more predictable for everyone on the road. Staying within marked lanes, riding with traffic, and remaining alert can help reduce crashes and keep riders safer.

#WatchForMeCT #bikesafety #bikelanesafety
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All bicyclists in Co

Winnie and Wally are back to remind parents that children age five and under do not understand road dangers, so always hold hands and supervise closely when crossing or near roadways.

#WatchForMeCT #winnieandwally #PedestrianSafety
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Winnie and Wally are

During winter, limited daylight means many people are walking to work, school, and appointments before sunrise and after sunset. Drivers should slow down, stay focused, and watch carefully for pedestrians to help improve visibility and keep everyone safe on Connecticut roads.

#WatchForMeCT #PedestrianSafety
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During winter, limit

Remember to clear and salt your sidewalks! Drivers, watch for pedestrians that are forced to step into the road to get around steep snow banks.
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