There’s a roster of reasons why walking your kids to school is a good idea: the quality time with them, the exercise, the reduction of carbon footprints and the opportunity to teach safety skills. To encourage this healthy habit, the National Center for Safe Routes to School has designated October 8 as International Walk to School Day. If you live close enough to school (or even if you have to wake the troops up a little earlier to squeeze in a stroll), this is a chance to walk and talk about street safety. On your way, practice these rules from Safe Kids USA.

Look both ways. Teach your child to glance left, right and left again before crossing the street.

Walk. Don’t run. Slower movement allows for greater caution.

Stop on red. Even very young kids should recognize street signals and know when to wait and when to go.

Cross only at corners. Entering the street from between parked cars can be dangerous.

Wait before crossing. Darting into the street accounts for the majority of child pedestrian deaths. This is always a no-no—even if he’s running for a pet or a ball.