Road Safety Week 4

Dear Parent,

During the month of June, we have been issuing a weekly task designed for you to work alongside and complete with your child/children in relation to a key road safety issue.  So far we have covered child cycle safety (helmets), passenger safety (seat belts & child car seats) and pedestrian safety (Stop-Look-Listen / Green Cross Code).  

Road Safety Education - Week 4

This week we are simply asking you to be aware of road safety issues concerning your child over the summer holidays and talk to them about their road safety and general safety.

It is very important that children are safe while out and about or playing during the summer months. Please take the opportunity of considering:

- where they are allowed to go and with whom

- unsafe places to play – footpath, road, railway tracks, rivers and other water courses;

- safer places to play – house, garden, play park or playground, park, beach (under supervision)

- if they live on a farm or are visiting relatives who own a farm – be especially aware of their proximity to machinery and vehicles, animals, slurry pits, round bales

In addition, there is a brand new activity book designed with topical themes associated with road safety that will hopefully act as an educational tool in the home over the months of July and August.  There is an activity book for those aged 4-7 years and one for those aged 8-11 years.

Have a good summer but remember your road safety!

Farm Safety Competition- Reminder

Unfortunately the summer months can be a time when a lot of accidents happen to children on farms.  The competition will be running each week during the summer months and we would really appreciate if you would send a reminder to your pupils before you break for the summer holidays to continue to enter the competition each week for a chance to win a £30 gift card and for their winning poster to be hopefully printed in the 2021 Farm Safety Calendar. Details can be found here, including terms and conditions.

Virtual Summer Sports Camps

We have been asked to highlight the following, by John Fall.

Council's Sports Developments Virtual Summer Sports Camps in July for Football, Hockey, Cricket, Table Tennis and Kids Keep Fit  - we're hoping by August we'll be allowed to offer normal multi sports camps outdoors for the young people.

Here's the link with information to our Virtual Summer Sports Camps.

https://www.causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk/news/return-to-sport-with-free-virtual-sports-camps-for-young-people

NI Libraries Summer Reading Challenge

Please click here to find information on the Silly Squad reading challenge.

Road Safety Education Week 3

Road Safety Education - Week 3 Task (Child Passenger Safety)

This week the focus is on passenger safety and you can conduct this task without even starting the car!  There is also a follow up activity supplied by Department for Infrastructure ‘Safe and Accessible Travel’ (FS/ KS1 tasks and KS2 tasks) which can be printed out and completed by your child if you wish.  However, these are not intended to take the place of the task itself but rather to reinforce the learning.

1.       First thing is first – check the height of your child.  The law states that all children up to 135cm (approximately 4ft 5in) in height AND under 12 years of age, must use a suitable child restraint – that is, one that is suitable for your child’s height or weight.

2.       Next, look for a sticker or label on the child car seats that are used for each child and it will show which of the two European standards for child restraint systems it has been manufactured to - Regulation 44 and Regulation 129 (or i-Size).  Seats manufactured to either standard will have a label showing a capital ‘E’ in a circle - as shown in the picture:

-          Regulation 44 child car seats are based on weight with an age recommendation.

-          Regulation 129 (or i-Size) child car seats are based on height/ length and have a maximum weight (the label will tell you the weight or maximum height/length the child car seat is designed for).

3.      Assuming the child car seat is still appropriate for the child it is being used for (given the above), now it’s time to check the seat is being used properly.  Every year too many children are killed or seriously injured – often because they are not properly restrained when travelling in a car. So make sure you understand the law and give your child the best possible protection.  Many seat experts believe that it's better and safer to keep your child in the lowest group seat for as long as possible. This means staying in their current stage seat until the maximum weight or height limit is reached.  Because children grow and develop at different rates it is important to keep a watch on your child’s height and weight to make sure that they don’t move up a stage too early or too late. You must only use a child restraint if your car’s seat belt has a diagonal strap, unless the child restraint is:

-          specifically designed for use with a lap seat belt only;

-          fitted using ISOFIX anchor points.

Checklist

• follow the manufacturer's instructions (refer to the diagrams on the side of the seat or better still using the instruction manual provided at the time of purchase);

• where using an adult belt to secure the restraint - make sure it passes through all the right slots;

• make sure that the child restraint is tight in the adult seat;

• make certain that the adult seat belt buckle is not bent over or resting on the child restraint frame;

• never fit a rear-facing restraint with an active airbag in front of it;

• check the vehicle handbook and follow the advice about children and airbags - where fitted;

• deactivate any front airbags before fitting a rear-facing (baby) restraint in a front seat;

• never modify the restraint or adult seat belt to make it fit;

• never fit a child restraint in side-facing seats;

• where the seat belt is being used to restrain the child (booster seats/booster cushions), ensure the diagonal belt is not resting on the child’s throat (there may be an adjuster so that the seat belt rests on the shoulder)

Some general safety points:

• every trip - allow time to get the child comfortably strapped in;

• where possible, ensure children sit in the back seat;

• make sure everyone is in their seat and properly restrained (that includes adults!) before moving off;

• remind children not to distract the driver by shouting or fighting (!) during the journey;

• assist young children to get out of the car;

• insist on children exiting car on the pavement (or grass verge).  If they are not sitting at that side, they could move across the back seat when the vehicle stops;

For further information on seat belts and child car seats (restraints): https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/child-car-seats-restraints-and-seatbelts

For information from manufacturers and retailers on whether a particular child car seat will fit in your vehicle and how you should install it: https://www.childcarseats.org.uk/choosing-using/child-car-seat-fitting-and-compatibility/

To view the road safety calendars issued to schools: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/road-safety-teaching-aid-calendars

Remember – seat belts (and child car restraints) save lives!

NI Water Information and Competition

As you will have noticed the weather has been very dry with not much rain for some time now- great for outdoor learning but unfortunately this has placed increased pressure on the levels of our reservoirs and our water supplies. We are asking for the public’s help to reduce the amount of water we waste everyday as all the little things can make a huge difference and we would love you to share some of the tips and freebies with your pupils at home.

1)      Simply turning off the tap when brushing your teeth can save 24 litres a day and we have free 2 minute toothy timers available by visiting  https://www.savewatersavemoney.co.uk/northernireland/free-water-saving-products to help keep smiles bright and reduce water waste. 

2)      Watering the plants is important in dry weather but by mixing gel crystals in with the compost in pots and hanging baskets we can reduce the amount of water needed to keep them growing. To get you free pack of gel crystals visit https://www.savewatersavemoney.co.uk/northernireland/free-water-saving-products

3)      Lower your litres and take the 4 minute shower challenge with a free shower timer from https://www.savewatersavemoney.co.uk/northernireland/free-water-saving-products

4)      Make your own mini waterbutt at home to collect rainwater for watering the plants in the garden. Share your creations with us to win 1 of 10  large waterbutts for your school. Send us your mini waterbutt pictures to education@niwater.comby  Friday 26th June to be in with a chance of this great prize. 

Road Safety Education Week 2

Road Safety Education - Week 2 Task (Pedestrian Safety 4-7 year olds)

This week the focus is on pedestrian safety and you can conduct this whilst out on your daily exercise or visit to the shops.  There are also 2 follow up activities (see attached) supplied by Department for Infrastructure ‘Safe and Accessible Travel’ which can be printed out and completed by your child if you wish.  However, these are not intended to take the place of the task itself but rather to reinforce the learning.

The task concentrates on safe pedestrian practice and we hope that it will help your child develop positive habits as they learn from doing and following your example.   Please talk to your child/children about and practise the following safe pedestrian habits: 

·         Holding hands with an adult or holding on to a buggy (shopping trolley if in a supermarket carpark);

·         Walking on the footpath (on the inside of the footpath with the adult closest to the roadside);

·         The simple message of STOP, LOOK and LISTEN:

o   STOP behind the kerb;

o   LOOK and LISTEN for traffic before crossing the road;

o   LOOK and LISTEN for traffic while you cross the road.

If practical, walk the normal route to/from school and decide upon the safest places to cross the road.  Then, when school resumes, use this route each time you walk your child to/from school.  Focus on: 

·         Use of any pedestrian crossings in place (including where the Crossing Patrol normally stands);

·         Good sight lines in any direction that traffic may come from; 

·         Any potential dangers along the route (e.g. cars reversing out of driveways, road works);

A new booklet has been developed for parents of 0-7 year olds: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/publications/parents-guide-road-safety-0-7-years

For further information on pedestrian safety: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/be-safe-pedestrian

To view the road safety calendars issued to schools: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/road-safety-teaching-aid-calendars

Enjoy going for walks with your child and remember - STOP, LOOK and LISTEN!

Road Safety Education - Week 2 Task (Pedestrian Safety 8-11 year olds)

This week the focus is on pedestrian safety and you can conduct this whilst out on your daily exercise or visit to the shops.  There are also 2 follow up activities (see attached) supplied by Department for Infrastructure ‘Safe and Accessible Travel’ which can be printed out and completed by your child if you wish.  However, these are not intended to take the place of the task itself but rather to reinforce the learning.

The task concentrates on safe pedestrian practice and we hope that it will help your child develop positive habits as they learn from doing and following your example.   Please talk to your child/children about and practise the following safe pedestrian habits: 

·         The Green Cross Code – children are generally considered to be ready to judge speed and distance of traffic from the age of eight years.  Knowing and being able to use the Green Cross Code is an essential life skill for all children:

o   First find a safe place to cross;

o   Stop with your toes behind the kerb (or grass verge on a country road);

o   Look and listen in all directions for any traffic;

o   If any traffic is coming, let it pass;

o   When the road is clear, walk straight across the road;

o   Keep looking and listening for traffic as you cross.

·         Walking on the footpath (on the inside of the footpath with the adult closest to the roadside);

If practical, walk the normal route to/from school and decide upon the safest places to cross the road.  Then, when school resumes, use this route each time you walk your child to/from school (or if your child walks without a parent then encourage them to use the same crossing points if at all possible).  Focus on: 

·         Use of any pedestrian crossings in place (including where the Crossing Patrol normally stands);

·         Good sight lines in any direction that traffic may come from;

·         Any potential dangers along the route (e.g. cars reversing out of driveways, road works)

For further information on pedestrian safety: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/be-safe-pedestrian

To view the road safety calendars issued to schools: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/road-safety-teaching-aid-calendars

Enjoy going for walks with your child and remember to use the GREEN CROSS CODE!

Road Safety Education

Dear Parent,

During the month of June, there will be a weekly task designed for you to work alongside and complete with your child/children in relation to a key road safety issue:

Road Safety Education - Week 1 Task (Child Cycle Safety)

This week the focus is on cycle helmets – please ensure your child wears a cycle helmet every time they are riding their bicycle and that it is properly fitted and adjusted to reduce the impact of a fall or collision at slow speed.  The attached document has been supplied by Department for Infrastructure ‘Safe and Accessible Travel’ as a guide for you and your child to use.

For further information on cycle safety: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/cycling-safety

To view the road safety calendars issued to schools: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/road-safety-teaching-aid-calendars