1000 SW Jackson Suite 230
Topeka, KS 66612-1274
(785) 296-1223
(785) 296-8649 (FAX)

Coordinator:
Jan Stegelman

Executive Committee:
Randall Bolin
NHTSA Region VII

Dennis Cooley, MD
Medical Advisor
American Academy of
Pediatrics, Kansas
Chapter

John Drees
Douglas County
SAFE KIDS Coalition

John Halbran
Kansas Safety Belt
Education Office

Jim Keating
Kansas State
Firefighters Association

Elena Nuss
Kansas State
Fire Marshal's Office

Cindy Samuelson
Kansas Hospital Association

Safe Kids Kansas Leads Local Activities on International Walk to School Day

Topeka , KS -- In observance of International Walk to School Day on October 4, schools around the state are teaching children about safe pedestrian behavior and working with their communities to improve the walking environment. More than 7,000 Kansas children are expected to participate in the events this year.

Nationwide, pedestrian injuries are the number two cause of accidental death among children ages 5 to 14. Each year in the United States, more than 630 children are killed and 35,000 treated in emergency rooms as a result of pedestrian injuries. According to injury statistics, African American children, male children, children living in high-density areas and children residing in low-income households are most at-risk for these types of injuries. New research from Safe Kids Worldwide shows that fear of crime influences these at-risk children’s pedestrian behavior more than fear of injury or injury-related death.

“ Parents, caregivers and teachers need to be aware of influencing factors for children when they are walking and address those when teaching them about pedestrians safety,” says Jan Stegelman, Safe Kids Kansas coordinator. “Walking is an important and healthy activity but everyone needs to do their part to keep this activity safe for kids. Parents and caregivers need to teach children safe behaviors and drivers must be aware of their surroundings.”

Even if your community or school does not participate in this special event, Safe Kids Kansas encourages parents and caregivers to walk with their children sometime during this week to teach children safe behavior – look both ways before crossing the street, cross only at a crosswalk or intersection, and obey traffic signals. The best way for adults to teach safe behaviors is to practice it and be good role models.

If you would like more information about what you can do in your community to improve child pedestrian safety, please contact Safe Kids Kansas at 785-296-0351 . For a copy of new research about reaching children most at-risk of pedestrian injury , visit www.usa.safekids.org.

International Walk to School Day is dedicated to walking to school with a purpose — to promote physical activity, safety, health and concern for the environment. International Walk to School Day is promoted nationally by The Partnership for a Walkable America. www.walktoschool.org.

Safe Kids Kansas, Inc. is a nonprofit Coalition of 67 statewide organizations and businesses dedicated to preventing accidental injuries to Kansas children ages 0-14. Local coalitions and chapters are located in Allen, Anderson, Atchison, Clay, Coffey, Dickinson, Doniphan, Douglas, Ellis, Ford, Franklin, Geary, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Leavenworth, Marion, Meade, Mitchell, Montgomery, Nemaha, Osage, Pottawatomie, Republic, Rice, Riley, Saline, Smith, Shawnee, Wabaunsee, Wilson and Woodson Counties, as well as the cities of Chanute, Emporia, Leavenworth, Norton, Pittsburg, the Wichita Area and the Metro Kansas City Area. Safe Kids Kansas is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide , a global network of organizations whose mission is to prevent accidental childhood injury.