Shorter Days, Safer Kids: Visibility Tips for After School Activities
November 9, 2026Fall season is here which means every parents favorite schedule changer - Daylight Saving Time! This is the time of year when we gain an hour of sleep, as the clocks “fall back”. However, this sudden change can affect the safety, visibility and daily routines of our little ones.
What to keep in mind during Daylight Saving Time
As always, we pediatricians constantly advocate for outdoor play, but with daylight savings, we hope families can plan for active playtime to be right after school or earlier in the afternoon while there is still enough light out. Here are some things to remember:
- Setting clear playtime limits and reminding kids to head home before it gets dark is essential for their safety
- Playing in areas that are well lit and supervised areas, such as near a porch light or playground with lights, is best as the sun sets
- Fading lights make nearby hazards harder to see, so always do a quick safety scan before allowing the kids to go out
- Playing with friends and siblings ensures a buddy system, as there is safety in numbers
Safety rules to remember
With the time change, the days are shorter around this time of year, which leads to lower visibility for drivers and pedestrians. This is a good time to review road and general safety rules with your children. Remind them:
- The importance of looking in both directions before crossing the street, using crosswalks and avoiding running into the street.
- Choosing parks, playgrounds or fence yards to play would be safer as the earlier darkness can make it harder for drivers to see children – especially near driveways and intersections.
- Older kids walking or biking home from school should be mindful of their surroundings and should have reflectors or a small flashlight clipped onto their backpack to increase visibility by nearby traffic.
- Wearing bright clothing or reflective gear outside when it is dusky outside will make it easier for them to be seen by drivers.
- The fall season brings colder and wetter days, so dress your loved ones in layers with closed toe shoes.
Other tips
- The weeks after the time change are when we see also more sleep issues and minor injuries. Prioritize rest, visibility and consistent routines to keep kids safe and active (even while indoors!)
- Encourage consistent meals, homework and bedtime routines.
- You may need to adjust bedtime by ten or fifteen minutes if your kiddos do not adjust to the time change well
- Plan active indoor play to keep the kids moving, such as dancing, obstacle courses, yoga or balloon games
- Encourage screen-free creative play as part of your indoor routines!
