Mum Michelle McLaughlin is on a mission to protect children around roads at school holiday time.

The Little Blue Dinosaur wants motorists and parents to be more vigilant about the safety of children around roadways on the northern beaches during the school holidays.

The Little Blue Dinosaur, David and Michelle McLaughlin and their son Hugh, 7, want motorists to slow down while kids are around during the holiday season on the northern beaches. Picture: Troy Snook

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“Children are fast, unpredictable and excitable, especially around this time of the year”.

These are the words of Michelle McLaughlin, a mum on a mission to raise awareness about the safety of children around roads during the school holidays.

Ms McLaughlin, and her husband David, of Balgowlah Heights, were in Manly on Wednesday to help launch their “Holiday Time; Slow Down, Kids Around” signage campaign.

The Little Blue Dinosaur campaign is teaming up with Northern Beaches Council to install signs reminding motorists and parents to be vigilant. Picture: Troy Snook

After the death of their four-year-old son Tom while on a family holiday on the Central Coast in 2014 — he was hit by a 4WD at MacMasters Beach — the McLaughlins created a foundation to help improve the safety of children around roads.

The Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation was named after Ms McLaughlin found drawings, made by Tom of his favourite animal, after his death. The campaign is now in 61 council areas across four states.

Tom McLaughlin. Picture: supplied

She and her husband, along with Northern Beaches Council, have teamed up this summer to urge drivers to slow down around children and for parents to remember to hold their childrens’ hands near the road.

The campaign aims to be a timely reminder to both residents and visitors to the beaches to be more aware of the increase in pedestrian activity and to stay vigilant.

“Children are very vulnerable and road users need to be aware of this,” Ms McLaughlin said.

“They are fast, unpredictable and excitable, especially around this time of the year, and do tend to forget about road safety.

Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan (left) with the McLaughlins and the Little Blue Dinosaur at Manly. Picture: Troy Snook

“Parents must have a conversation with their children and go through how they are expected to behave when they’re in this environment.”

She also urged parents to keep hold of little ones.

“Always remember to hold hands with our children until the age of 10.”

Mayor Michael Regan said campaigns such as The Little Blue Dinosaur were effective in raising awareness about speed and the safety of children over the holiday period.

Council’s Road Safety Team will be installing Holiday Time signage at locations around beaches, playgrounds and other high volume pedestrian areas.