Chatham Police Chief: Be Aware, Safe During Summer Months

Chatham, N.J. – It’s the summer time, which means more children are out and about during the daytime hours. Chatham Borough Police Chief Philip Crosson announced tips and reminders for residents on how to be safe and aware of what’s going on around them.

• Buckle up. Always buckle up, even for short trips. Restrain children in federally approved child safety or booster seats.
• Keep it light. Drive with headlights on, even during the day, so that children and other drivers can see you.
• Slow down. Maintain a 20-30 second visual lead, allowing time to identify unexpected problems and drive defensively.
• Look out. Scan between parked cars and other objects for signs that children are at play and could dart into the road.
• Use eye contact. Make eye contact with children who are about to cross the street. Be aware of their next step and be sure to indicate yours.
• Look for clues. Playgrounds and other areas may indicate children could be in the area.
• Look both ways. Make sure you are looking for pedestrians and cyclists too, not just vehicles.

Parents need to consider extra safety measures during summer months as well, Crosson said. Here are some tips:

• Wear a helmet. Make sure your children wear their helmets. Using a helmet is the single most effective way to reduce head injuries and fatalities resulting from bike crashes. Bike helmets are 85 to 88 percent effective in preventing head and brain injuries in all types of bike accidents according to the NHTSA.
• Play in safe areas. Focus on keeping children occupied away from the street. When possible, keep children within gated areas so they cannot easily run into the street. Use the portion of the yard furthest from the street or take children to a park where they can ride their bikes out of harms’ way.
• Provide responsible supervision. Studies show that children under the age of 12 have not developed the ability to judge driver behavior and often are not tall enough for drivers to see. Have a responsible sibling or adult watching your child at all times.