Children taught about railway safety

As part of Safe Crossing Week, Nov. 1 to 7, students from kindergarten to Grade 8 will be educated on how to remain safe near railway crossings and trains.

CN police officer Constable Lisa Burt will be going to Sudbury area schools to talk to the students about preventative measures as well as the importance of not trespassing on rail properties.

"Schools play an important role in teaching children about a broad range of health and safety issues and, for that reason, they are major partners in Safe Crossing Week," stated Pamela Fuselli, executive director of Safe Kids Canada in a news release.

"To build a culture of safety, we must teach children early, and repeat teaching as they grow and develop skills so that safe practices and behaviours become second nature as they become teenagers and adults."

Unintentional injury remains the leading cause of death and disability in Canadian children, and in 2008 there were 287 accidents at railway crossings and from trespassing which resulted in 73 fatalities and 56 serious injuries.

In the first five months of 2009, there was a 25% increase in the number of crossing and trespasser fatalities.