BE ON YOUR GUARD
I
It is said that by street accidents alone in New York City one person is killed every 14 hours, and one person is injured every 23 minutes.
Would you give your eyes or your life for all the money in the world? One of your legs is worth a whole woodpile of crutches, isn’t it?
Two out of every three accidents can be prevented by Safety First; by keeping your eyes open and your wits about you. Prevention and foresight are Safety First.
II
Never cross a street except at crossings. Always stop and look both ways.
Never try to run or dodge if you are caught in the middle of a street with vehicles coming in both directions. Stand still so that the drivers will be able to go around you safely.
Never play games in the middle of the street. Do not chase your ball before first seeing that no wagons or automobiles are coming. It is better to save your life than your ball.
What is going to happen here?
Tell the story of this picture.
Never jump on or off a moving elevator, trolley, or train. It is better to be a few minutes late than to go through life as a cripple.
Never ride a bicycle on the left side of the street. Keep to the right. Never try to dodge in front of a street car or an automobile, or to catch hold of either of them for the sake of a tow.
Never steal rides by hanging on the back of wagons, trucks, automobiles, or street cars. You may jump or fall off directly in front of a passing vehicle.
III
More children suffer from accidents than grown people because they are the most thoughtless. Here are some of the ways in which hundreds of boys and girls are killed or hurt every year:
By hitching on backs of wagons or street cars; by roller skating in the roadway; by sliding on push-mobiles in the roadway; by daring each other to run across the street in front of vehicles; by engaging in street fights; by building bonfires; by playing on the fire-escapes and unprotected roofs; by riding bicycles in heavy-traffic streets; by climbing poles on which there are “live wires.”
Who is to blame if these boys get hurt?
What happened to the boy in this picture?
Do not do these things. Be careful and urge your friends to be careful too. Help to save their lives as well as your own.
QUESTIONS
Why does your city spend great sums of money for the services of Safety-first men?
Do you think it is a wise thing to do? Why?
Name some things which might help the safety-first of your school.