Last Day of School Celebrated in Oxford

Thursday, 26 June 2025 at 09:02

The last day of school is upon us and that means heavier traffic on the streets for the summer months.

OXFORD COUNTY - It's the last day of school for kids in Oxford County.

Some kids might be going to camp this summer, while others might spend their weekdays with a babysitter while their parents are at work.

Randi Crawford, the Community Engagement Officer with the Oxford OPP, says parents are legally required to make sure any child under 16 is properly supervised. If they have been left home alone, this could be simply checking in with them over the phone or through a home camera system.

Crawford adds there isn't an age that allows a child to stay home alone legally, so it's up to the parents to decide if they are responsible enough to be on their own for a few hours.

"Maybe have some practice days, like a Saturday afternoon where you try some things to start building up that responsibility so everybody feels confident when they are home by themselves."

The child should have a phone so they can the parents or emergency services if need be. It's also a good idea to let another friend, neighbour or family know what is going on, so that child has someone else to reach out to if need be.

Pool safety is also something to take note of during the summer months. Crawford recommends using the buddy system while also staying hydrated and wearing sunscreen.

She says there should always be a sober, responsible adult nearby when swimming is involved.

"We want to make sure that someone can jump in or call 911 if they have to."

When the parents aren't working over the summer, they might be taking their kids on fun adventures. Crawford says this could result in busier traffic on the roads.

"You're going to have more day trip travelling and travelling for different vacations, so you want to be mindful that there's probably going to be more vehicles out and at different times. We're all used to the rush hour when school gets out, but now it's all over the place."

You'll also spot more kids riding their bikes and playing in the streets, so make sure be extra vigilant and follow the rules of the road. Kids also need to be on the lookout for cars when they're outside, because traffic safety is everyone's responsibility.