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Daylight savings time has been known to wreak havoc on a child’s sleep schedule. It can also be tough for parents to keep their little ones safe once they have left the house. Now that the mornings are much darker, it is time for parents to take certain precautions. Let’s take a closer look at the following tips and pointers:

1. Reflective Gear

Does the child ride a bicycle to school each morning? If so, parents need to make sure that the bike is outfitted with the proper protective markings. Does the child have a light on their bike? What about their shoes and book bags? Equipping the child with reflective clothing makes them more visible to drivers.

2. Go Over The Rules of the Road

A child should be receiving refresher courses on the rules of the road before they actually head out to school. Don’t make the mistake of waiting for some sort of calamity to take place. This is especially important for children who reside within walking distance of the school.

3. Make Sure They Stick To The Sidewalk

Kids are always going to be tempted to cut across dark streets and take shortcuts. They do not ever need to be walking in the road itself. If there are any other cars on the road, these vehicles have the right of way. Be sure to go over this before they leave the house.

4. Don’t Dawdle

Avoidable mistakes tend to take place because the child has been taking their sweet time getting ready to go. When a child is running or speed walking to get to school on time, they are more likely to ignore the rules of the road. Encourage your child to leave the house on time, so that they are not taking any risks or cutting any corners.

5. Put The Phone Away

Kids who are always on their smartphones will not always be paying attention to the road. They may miss out on obvious signs of danger if their heads are down and they are reading text messages. Whatever they are looking at on their phones can certainly wait until they have arrived safely.

6. Don’t Assume That You Are Seen

Children can have a tendency to believe that they are visible, even if they are not. Smaller children are not always easy for other drivers to notice. Make sure that your little ones are not assuming that they have been seen. Make eye contact with drivers whenever possible.

7. Walk In Groups

It is easier for children to be seen when they are all walking together. If possible, allow your child to walk to school with a group of friends. This minimizes their chances of not being able to be seen by motorists.