From bikes and scooters to car seats and crossing the street, these tips help kids get where they’re going safely:

• Bicycle safety
• Car seat safety
  • Read more about car seat safety in Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, English, Russian, Spanish, Urdu, and Uzbek
• E-scooter and E-bike safety
• Pedestrian safety

Simple precautions around the house—from the kitchen to the medicine cabinet to the nursery—can prevent many of the most common childhood injuries:

• Cooking safety
• Fall prevention:
  • Window fall prevention
  • Fall prevention
• Home fire prevention
  • Read more about fire safety in your home, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and having an escape plan
• Medication safety:
  • Read about medication safety in Chinese, English, and Spanish
  • Read our quick guide on telling the difference between medicine and candy in Chinese, English, Russian, and Spanish
• Poison, choking, and strangulation
  • Learn more about poison-proofing your home in Chinese, English, Russian, and Spanish
• Safe bath time
• Safe holiday decorating:
  • Candles and lamp oil (Chanukah)
  • Trees, electronics, and candles (Christmas)
• Safe sleeping:
  • Read about safe sleeping in Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, English, Spanish, Urdu, and Yiddish
• Toy safety

Whether at the pool, beach, or on the playing field, these tips help prevent drowning and head injuries:

• Water safety
• Concussion prevention
  • Read more about caring for a child with a concussion

Bicycle safety

Follow NYC bike laws

• Yield to pedestrians
• Stop at red lights and stop signs
• Ride in the direction of traffic
• Stay off the sidewalk unless you’re under 13
• Use a white headlight and red taillight at night
• Use a bell to signal presence
• Do not wear more than one earphone while riding
• Read more about NYC bike laws in Chinese, English, and Spanish

Safety tips

• Wear a helmet every time you ride
  • Read more about helmet-fitting instructions
• Follow traffic patterns
• Be mindful of vehicles and pedestrians, especially when turning
• Wear bright and reflective clothing to be seen
• Don’t take your bike off of the road to text or talk on your phone
• Use bike lanes if they are available and ride in the correct direction
• Watch for opening doors
• Use arm signals to notify drivers of your intentions
• Read more about bicycle safety in Chinese, English, and Spanish

Driver/occupant protection

• Follow 25-MPH speed limits
• Watch for pedestrians and cyclists
• Look both ways when starting to drive after red lights
• Watch for pedestrians when turning
• Look in mirrors before opening doors after street parking
• Look around vehicles before pulling out of parking spots and driveways
• Ensure all passengers are buckled up on every ride
  • New York State law requires drivers and passengers in all seating positions to wear a seat belt
• Don’t be a distracted driver
  • Don’t use cell phones or electronics while driving
  • Don’t wear headphones or earbuds while driving
  • Keep your eyes on the road
• Read more about driver and pedestrian safety in English and Spanish

Micromobility (e-bike, e-scooter, and moped) safety

E-bikes, e-scooters, and mopeds have become a common way to get around New York City, but the rules—and the risks—depend on what you’re riding. Speed limits, helmet requirements, and licensing vary by vehicle type, and lithium-ion batteries can pose a serious fire risk if charged or stored incorrectly.

Riding safety tips

• Stay off the sidewalk
• Yield to pedestrians
• Watch for turning vehicles
• Wear a helmet every time you ride
• Do not exceed 15 MPH on NYC streets, regardless of your vehicle’s top speed
• Read more about e-bike, e-scooter, and moped classes, speed limits, and helmet requirements.

Lithium-ion battery safety

Lithium-ion batteries power most e-bikes and e-scooters, and can start serious fires if they’re damaged, charged improperly, or left unattended. Never charge a device overnight, and call 911 right away if a battery overheats, smells odd, or starts smoking—water and fire extinguishers do not work on these fires.

Read more about the dangers of lithium-ion batteries in Bengali, English, French, Simplified Chinese, and Spanish. Learn how to spot a certified device before you buy, in English, Spanish, and Traditional Chinese.

Pedestrian safety

Stay alert

• Don’t be a distracted walker
  • Put down cell phones and electronics, and unplug headphones and earbuds
• Don’t walk until traffic stops
  • Make eye contact with drivers and stay alert while crossing
• Make sure you are visible to drivers and cyclists
  • Wear bright colors, especially when it’s dark
• Use crosswalks and intersections
  • Never jaywalk
  • Don’t cross unless you know you have enough time to do so safely—don’t rush to cross unsafely
• Watch for turning vehicles
  • All vehicles have blind spots
    • Large, high vehicles make it hard to see pedestrians crossing in front of them
• Read more about pedestrian safety

Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injury among older adults, but many falls are preventable. Our Injury Prevention Program offers education, resources, and evidence-based programs to help reduce fall risk and support safe, independent living.

Fall prevention focuses on staying physically active, making simple home safety improvements, managing medications and vision changes, and building confidence with everyday movement. Our programs and resources are designed for older adults, caregivers, and community members who want to remain active and reduce their risk of falling.

• Keep pathways clear of clutter and loose cords
• Improve lighting throughout the home, especially stairways and bathrooms
• Wear supportive, non-slip footwear
• Use handrails on stairs and grab bars in bathrooms
• Take your time when standing up to prevent dizziness
• Schedule annual checkups with your primary care physician, and your eye doctor to have your vision checked
• Review medications regularly with a healthcare provider
• Stay active with exercises that improve balance, strength, and coordination

Learn more about how you can prevent falls for yourself and your loved ones. Download our home safety checklist to help prevent falls, and read more about how medications can impact fall risk.

Read our Medicine Safety Guide for Older Adults in Chinese, English, and Spanish.

To help keep track of the medications for you or your loved one, download our medicine log in Chinese, English, Russian, and Spanish.

Safe Sitter, Inc. is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to providing individuals with the life and safety skills they need for when they are home alone, watching younger siblings, or babysitting.

Each program has required participant materials and class fees must be paid at time of registration. Participants can cancel class enrollment 14 days before the start of class and receive a full refund.

To schedule a class, please email us at InjuryPrevention@maimo.org.

Safe@Home | 2 hours | grades 4–6

Safe@Home by Safe Sitter® is a 2-hour program designed for students in grades 4–6 to prepare them to be safe when they are home alone.

Students learn how to practice safe habits, how to prevent unsafe situations, and what to do when faced with dangers such as power failures or weather emergencies. Students are also introduced to the Safe Sitter® First Aid Chart and learn a system to help them assess and respond to injuries and illnesses.

Safe Sitter® Essentials with CPR | 6.5 hours | grades 6–8

Safe Sitter® is a full-day class that prepares students in grades 6–8 to be safe and responsible when home alone, watching younger siblings, or babysitting.

Taught by certified Safe Sitter® Instructors, students learn lifesaving skills such as how to rescue someone who’s choking, and helpful information like what to do if there’s severe weather. The lessons are filled with fun activities and role-playing exercises. Students even get to use CPR manikins to practice choking rescue. Participants gain the following skills:

Safety skills: Students learn how to prevent unsafe situations and what to do when faced with dangers such as power failures or weather emergencies.

Child care skills: Students learn tips to manage behavior that will help them stay in control of themselves and the children in their care. Students also learn the ages and stages of child development, as well as practice diapering.

First aid and rescue skills: Learning skills such as choking rescue is often students’ favorite part of the class. Students also learn a system to help them assess and respond to injuries and illnesses.

Life and business skills: The ability to screen jobs, discuss fees, and greet employers will set students up for success now and in the future. Students practice these skills through various role plays.

Grandparents: Getting Started | 3 hours | adult learners

Grandparents: Getting Started is a Safe Sitter® class designed to help grandparents feel confident and prepared as caregivers.

Taught by certified Safe Sitter® Instructors, participants learn how to provide the best and safest care for their grandchildren, with up-to-date information on infant and child care, child development, and behavior management for all ages. The program also teaches life-saving skills such as choking rescue, CPR, first aid, and injury management, along with guidance on communication, setting expectations, and building strong relationships. Participants will gain the following skills:

Child care skills: Participants learn the new recommendations for child care based on research from doctors and scientists studying the physical and emotional development of infants and children. They will also learn how to manage the behavior of children of all ages.

First aid and rescue skills: The course has an emphasis on injury prevention and teaches lifesaving skills such as first aid and injury management. Participants will also learn choking rescue and CPR and practice these skills using medical manikins.

Your role as a grandparent: Participants will learn tips on creating a good relationship from the start, as well as how to say no to a request to babysit.

Stop the Bleed is a training program designed to teach you how to recognize and control life-threatening bleeding. In just one session, you’ll learn essential skills like applying direct pressure, packing wounds, and using a tourniquet—all without needing prior medical experience. Be prepared to make a difference in emergencies and help save lives!

Evidence-based fall prevention programs

We offer nationally recognized, evidence-based fall prevention programs shown to reduce fall risk and improve confidence and mobility.

Learn more about how you can prevent falls for yourself and your loved ones. Download our home safety checklist to help prevent falls, and read more about how medications can impact fall risk.

We offer the following fall prevention programs. You can join a free, virtual, fall prevention course from the comfort of your home! Register here.

Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention

Did you know that Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention is one of the best things you can do to prevent falls? Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention is an evidence-based exercise program proven to reduce fall risk by improving strength, balance, flexibility, and coordination.

This twice-weekly, 8-week progressive program includes:

• A gentle warm-up
• Learning one to two Tai Chi movements per class
• A cool-down period
• Gradual progression to a full 12-movement sequence

Modifications are available to accommodate participants with mobility limitations.

A Matter of Balance

A Matter of Balance is an evidence-based program designed to reduce fear of falling and increase activity levels among older adults. Participants learn strategies to:

• Reduce fall risk
• Improve strength and balance
• Build confidence in managing daily activities

Stepping On

Stepping On is an evidence-based fall prevention program that combines group discussion, exercise, and education to help participants develop skills and confidence to prevent falls. The program focuses on:

• Balance and strength exercises
• Home safety
• Vision and footwear
• Medication awareness

Healthy Aging and Fall Prevention for Older Adults presentation

Falls are the number one cause of unintentional injury among adults. This presentation focuses on practical strategies to reduce fall risk and support healthy, independent aging. Topics include staying physically active, making the home safer, medication and vision checks, and reducing fall risks in everyday activities. The presentation also addresses healthy aging topics such as nutrition and overall health, aging and vision changes, traffic and pedestrian safety, and everyday strategies to support independence and safety.

Read more about aging safely.

Car seat installation checks

Did you know that 9 out of 10 car seats are not properly installed? Schedule a one-on-one car seat installation check with a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician.

Car seat education classes

Car seat education classes help caregivers select the right car seat, properly harness children into the car seat, and learn how to install them.

Read more about car seat safety in Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, English, Russian, Spanish, Urdu, and Uzbek.

Custom safety education presentations are available upon request. Email us at InjuryPrevention@maimo.org.

injuryfree.org

safekids.org

cdc.gov/injury

cpsc.gov

recalls.gov

fdny.org

nhtsa.gov

nyc.gov/dot

nyc.gov/html/dot/html/bicyclists/bicyclists.shtml

nyc.gov/html/dot/html/bicyclists/ebikes.shtml

nyc.gov/html/dot/html/pedestrians/pedestrians.shtml

nyc.gov/html/dot/html/motorist/motorist.shtml

nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/poison-control.page

safesitter.org

stopthebleed.org

nia.nih.gov

ncoa.org

nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/healthy-aging-preventing-falls-in-older-adults.page