Injury Prevention and EMS

Alaska Reflector Program

Be Safe, Be Seen

Objective: To increase the safety of children by using reflective, high-visibility products.

Problem Statement: Each year, vehicles kill an estimated 5,700 pedestrians; one out of seven of those are children. In Alaska, darkness escends early in fall and winter months. A child walking during darkness or in low light conditions wearing dark colors is first seen approximately 55 ft. away. This gives a driver less than one-second of reaction time.

Chart showing the visibility of various colors compared to a reflector.
Cornell University Cooperative Extension Program report: "Actionwear: Clothing for Fitness"

Strategies and Activities: In 2002, ISAP adopted the reflector activity from the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium — Injury Prevention Program. Using iron-on reflective tape, the reflector program puts reflective tape in designs on outerwear. The "Be Safe-Be Seen" reflector program offers education on pedestrian safety using handouts and demonstrations, as well as providing reflectors for outdoor clothing.

Contact: Maria Bailey, ISAP, 465-4170