Good to Know

READER’S CHOICE AWARDS

Our annual Best of the Best issue is available online covering more than 100 different categories, including places to shop and dine, family fun attractions, school and enrichment programs and health professionals. Available online at ParentsPress.com under the Magazine tab.

2022

Teens and Texts

It’s not easy to pry your teen’s cell phone out of their hot little hands, but you may want to implement a no texting after dark rule. A study published in the Journal of Child Neurology showed that teens who continued to text after their presumed bedtime when lights were out slept fewer hours, making school more of a struggle the next day (no surprise there). Interestingly, students who turned off their phones or stopped texting within 30 minutes after the lights went out performed “significantly better in school” than others who did not.

LABOR DAY, September 5th this year, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. Unofficially, this day marks a few milestones, end of summer for children going back to school, the beginning of football season and the end of wearing white for the society ladies. Well, it used to. Labor Day became a federal holiday in 1894, and society eventually adopted it as the natural endpoint for summer fashion.

Pedestrian Safety

STOP! LOOK LEFT, RIGHT, AND LEFT AGAIN

By Elise Hooper

With back-to-school approaching in the Bay Area, children and teenagers will be making their daily commute to get educated. Whether walking to a friend’s house after school, going to the local park, or taking the family dog for a stroll—it is likely your child will need to utilize pedestrian safety tips. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, unintentional pedestrian injuries are the fifth leading cause of injury-related deaths in the United States for children ages 5 to 19. It is important not to overestimate your child’s understanding of safe pedestrian habits, especially teenagers. Teenagers account for more than half of all child pedestrian deaths. Shared pedestrian standards can help reduce injuries and deaths; therefore, it is important to educate your children on the rules of the road: both as a pedestrian and as a driver. No matter their age, it is never too late to ensure your children are safe. Here are some fundamental tips to get started on you and your child’s repertoire of pedestrian safety knowledge.

TIP 1Use sidewalks when available. Sidewalks are the safest place to be on foot, as it is an expected area for drivers to see pedestrians walking. If no sidewalks are available, walk facing traffic and stay as far away from the road as possible. Be especially careful and alert when walking around blind corners.

TIP 2 Remain visible always. At night, it is difficult for drivers to see pedestrians on or near the road from a distance. Wear light clothing colors, carry a flashlight, and wear reflective fabrics if possible. If you know you will be walking in the dark, be prepared by bringing a flashlight. Approximately 75% of teenage pedestrian deaths occur between 7 pm – 7 am.

TIP 3 Cross the street using signals and crosswalks. It is important to build the habit of constantly crossing the street at spots with traffic signals and/or at a crosswalk. Before crossing, make eye contact with the driver to ensure they see you. Always look left, right, and left again before crossing to ensure both cars on either side of the crosswalk acknowledge you. Do this as well despite the “walk” traffic signal, as drivers can run a red light or take a right turn on red. Practice safe crossing with your children, as kids can often underestimate the speed and distance of a traveling car. ✷