**Sample Drop --In Articles**

**Seasonal Safety Tips**

Whether it's hot and sunny, or a blizzard is blowin', the weather can
directly impact a pedestrian or bicyclist's safety. The following tips
will help keep you safe.

**When it's hot outside**

Motorists who see an ice cream truck, a group of children playing on the
sidewalk or in the street, or a ball or toy bounce into the street,
should slow down. A child may be hidden by the ice cream truck or may
forget to stop and look before running into the street.

If you're a motorist, keep your windshield clean. Pollen, dirt, and
other debris can increase glare and reduce visibility.

Encourage children to play at a playground or recreation facility. This
will help to keep them away from motor vehicle traffic in the street.

Remember that "fluorescent" colors like blaze orange, hot pink, and
day-glo green are great to wear during the day and at dawn, dusk and
other low-light conditions. However, at night lights can do more than
any other device to increase one's odds of being seen. Lights combined
with reflectorized or retro-reflectorized (materials that reflect light
back to its source) vests or other apparel or safety strips are even
more effective.

**When it's cold outside**

If you're a motorist, keep your windshield clean-- salt, dirt, and other
debris can increase glare and reduce visibility.

Remember that pedestrian traffic increases significantly after a snow or
ice storm. Snow drifts can cover signs and landmarks and block corners,
crosswalks, and handicap access ramps. Walkways may not be cleared,
forcing pedestrians to walk in the street. The snow and ice can turn
familiar territory into an alien landscape for both pedestrians and
motorists.

If the sidewalks and walkways are impassable and you have to walk in the
street, walk facing traffic and as close to the curb or edge of the road
as you can.

Wearing dark "winter" colors can make it hard for motorists to see you,
especially if they aren't expecting you. Remember that "fluorescent"
colors like blaze orange, hot pink, and day-glo green are great to wear
during the day and at dawn, dusk, and other low-light conditions.

However, at night lights can do more than any other device to increase
one's odds of being seen. Lights combined with reflectorized or
retro-reflectorized (materials that reflect light back to its source)
vests or other apparel or safety strips are also effective.

Snow that has accumulated into drifts can muffle the sounds of
approaching motor vehicles. Wearing hats and scarves that cover your
ears can also distort or even eliminate these sounds. Keep warm, but
make sure you can hear what's going on around you.

If you can, shop before the storm hits! If you have to shop, don't buy
more than you can easily carry. Remember that the streets may be
slippery and carrying heavy packages can impair your balance.

When traveling with infants or small children, make sure they are
dressed in brightly colored or reflective clothing. If you have to push
a stroller or walk in the street, the child should be in front of you
and as close to the curb or edge of the road as possible.

Because of road conditions, motorists may not be able to stop at traffic
signals or slow down for pedestrians or bicyclists who have the right of
way. Before you step off the curb or edge of the road into the street,
make sure that any approaching vehicles have come to a complete stop.