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What you need to know For Parents and Caregivers For Teachers and Educators For Kids
Safe Crossing Week November 3-9, 2008
Come on Board for Safe Crossing Week
Safe Kids USA and CN, one of the largest railroads in North America, are launching Safe Crossing Week 2008 to encourage parents, teachers, and caregivers to teach elementary school children how to safely cross railroad tracks.
Each year, approximately 430 people are killed and 4,900 are injured in incidents involving trains in the United States. These incidents involve either trains and people or trains and motor vehicle occupants. In 2007, a total of 39 children ages 15 and under were killed and 180 were injured in incidents involving trains.
The Safe Crossing Program began as a one-day event in 2005 and by 2006 it became Safe Crossing Week, involving hundreds of elementary schools across Canada and reaching millions of people through the media. This is the second year that Safe Crossing Week is being held in the United States as a joint initiative between Safe Kids USA and CN.
This year, more than 60 communities will be participating in Safe Crossing Week, and approximately 30,000 children will be reached with important railroad safety messages.
New this YearThis year we have created several new Safe Crossing educational resources to teach railroad safety. These include:
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Safety at Railroad Crossings
Parents should teach children that trains and railroad tracks may be dangerous places. Railroad deaths and injuries are often preventable. Children should learn to never play on or near railroad tracks, and, if they must cross tracks, how to do so as safely as possible.
Resources for Parents
- Railroad safety fact sheet for parents
- Railroad safety brochure for parents
- Obie’s Activity Book – an activity booklet for students in grades K-3
Important Statistics
Each year, approximately 430 people are killed and 4,900 are injured in incidents involving trains in the United States. These incidents involve either trains and people or trains and motor vehicle occupants.
In 2007, a total of 39 children ages 15 and under were killed and 180 were injured in incidents involving trains.
Trespassing is Dangerous
In 2007, trespassing incidents resulted in 486 deaths and 398 injuries. Trespassing fatalities occur when a person crosses over a non-public railroad crossing and is struck by a train.
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The Safe Crossing Program is a joint initiative with Safe Kids USA and CN – North America’s Railroad.
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More information
Suzanne Morton
Program Manager
smorton@safekids.org
202-662-4476Vivi Hneich
Program Associate
ghneich@safekids.org
202-662-0629