MP for Manchester Withington, John Leech, reminds children to be safe and seen in the coming winter months

10.30.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 18th Oct 2007

As the clocks go back on Sunday 28 October and the evenings become longer, John Leech MP is reminding south Manchester residents, especially children and parents, of the importance of being safe and being seen on the winter roads.

John Leech MP said "With the return of long winter nights, our children face greater risks on our roads and it's even more important to remember the importance of basic road safety and the message 'Be Safe, Be Seen'. The number of children killed or injured on our roads is coming down each year, but we can't afford to be complacent.

"My top tips this winter for being safe on the roads are:

• In the bad weather, make sure that drivers can see you by wearing bright or fluorescent clothing.

• Always wear something reflective when out in the dark evenings.

• Make sure you find a safe place to cross the road and always remember to stop, look and listen.

• If you're out at night, choose routes that are well-lit by streetlights and cross the road at well-lit places.

"Children in Year One will once again all be receiving reflectors through Nationwide Building Society's Cats' Eyes for Kids scheme and should wear them all winter - children wearing a reflector may be up to eight times safer than without."

Charles Reed, customer service & communications director at Nationwide, said:

"For the seventh year, we're delighted to support the government's successful campaign to reduce the number of child casualties. We are also encouraging children who have received reflectors in the past six years to use them again this winter.

"As a building society, Nationwide has a long tradition of active involvement in communities throughout the UK and there can be no better way of investing in these communities than by protecting the lives of children."