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Time To Take Part In National Walk Safely To School Day

National Walk Safely To School Day

Member for the Eastern Region Peter Hall is encouraging all parents and guardians of school aged children to participate in the National Walk Safely to School Day on Friday the 20th of May.

By Peter Hall - 9th May 2011 - Back to News

Mr Hall said National Walk Safely to School Day was a great way to encourage primary school children to adopt a more active lifestyle.

"Guidelines state that children need a minimum of 60 minutes of physical activity a day," Mr Hall said.

"By incorporating a walk to school into the daily routine of children it is a helpful measure in reducing childhood obesity and other health problems."

Now in its 12^th year Walk Safely to School Day promotes the important message: Active Kids Are Healthy Kids.

Mr Hall said walking to school also helped to reduce dangerous vehicle congestion around schools and carbon emissions form idling cars by encouraging parents and carers to drive less and walk more.

"Walk Safely to School Day is a great opportunity to promote the health benefits of walking as well as creating regular walking habits at an early age," Mr Hall said.

"It also helps children develop vital road-crossing skills and work towards reducing car dependency habits which can be difficult to change as children become adults.

"We need to encourage children early to undertake healthy habits such as walking when possible," he added.

Further information can be found at www.walk.com.au.

Media Enquiries: Renee Switzer (03) 51 747066.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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