I won’t dress my child in black clothing when they’re outside - it’s too risky

“This is why I don’t understand schools making black or navy coats part of the uniform!” remarks a shocked parent. 

Road safety is one of the most important lessons your kids should know. 

Parents go to great lengths to make sure they know to look both ways before crossing the road, waiting for a green light and being cautious around cars. 

But now parents are being warned about the colour they dress their kids in, and how it can impact the driver’s vision - especially in rain.

Yes, summer is coming up, but if you live in a state that frequently experiences rain (looking at you, Melbourne), you need to pay attention to this. 

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The difference is startling. Source: minifirstaid/Instagram

“Make sure your kids are wearing bright colours to stay visible to drivers”

Dad Christian Thomas shared a picture of a road in Switzerland, the image split in two. A child stands by a tree at a pedestrian crossing, wearing a bright yellow jacket, boots and an orange hat. 

The child is also pictured in the image underneath, but you’d be forgiven if you couldn’t see them. 

Squint, and you’ll find them standing in the same spot, wearing much darker clothing. 

“Please make sure your kids are wearing bright colours to stay visible for drivers,” the caption read. 

The post was shared on Facebook by Latvian mum, Inna, who issued a warning for other parents to pay attention to their child’s clothing. 

“I can't help but share this image that is used on social networks,” she wrote. “It clearly shows why, when choosing outerwear for a child, it is better to prefer bright tones.”

This message is particularly important for kids who wear dark school uniforms, as they can easily blend with the grey surroundings during gloomy days. 

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The child is almost impossible to spot. Source: minifirstaid/Instagram

“If it rains, you won't see a pedestrian in dark clothes at all”

The picture genuinely confused many people, who were convinced there was no child in the bottom picture. 

“Where is the child in [the] bottom picture?” someone questioned. “Omg! I literally couldn't see her at all!” another wrote. 

This only proved how important the message behind the picture was. 

“Powerful pic! Sometimes, we are so into fashion or dark uniforms that we forget this!” read a comment. “And if it rains, you won't see a pedestrian in dark clothes at all,” another responded. 

“Therefore, clothes need to have bright finishing elements and preferably with a reflective effect.”

“This is why I don’t understand schools making black or navy coats part of the uniform!” said a parent. 

It’s not just a great reminder for parents with kids but for adults as well. 

“Adults can’t see either! Without reflectors and in dark clothes… hard to notice!” someone wrote. 

“I didn’t realise how dark people actually look to drivers once it starts going dark out until I started driving myself, and realising you can’t see people until you’re very close to them with headlights on!” a woman added. 

“You may think you can be seen, but you can’t.”

Originally published as I won’t dress my child in black clothing when they’re outside - it’s too risky