Safety first

Hearing the whistle from a school crossing guard is a sure sign school is back in session.

But the shrill sound of a whistle, shiny badges or neon tape strips on uniforms hasn’t been enough to protect ever-faithful guards from the danger of distracted drivers.

That’s the reason those helping your child cross the street might be wearing the latest protective gear: vests that light up. The vests, which can be controlled by a push button, flash running red lights to increase visibility.