Back to school is a great time to reinforce safety messages.
As a new school year begins, in addition to prepping your child for their time in the classroom, teach them about keeping safe on the way to and from school also – especially young children starting school for the first time.
This is also a great time to remind older children about basic back-to-school safety rules.
Some always-smart tips: Make sure your child knows his or her phone number and address, how to get in touch with parents at work, how to get in touch with another trusted adult, and how to dial 911.
Remind children not to talk to strangers or accept rides from someone they don’t know.
Back to school bus safety
If your children ride the bus to school, plan to get to the bus stop early and stand away from the curb while waiting for the bus to arrive. Remind them to:
- Only board their buses and never alternate ones.
- Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop.
- Always stay in clear view of the bus driver and never walk behind the bus.
- Cross the street at the corner, obeying traffic signals and staying in the crosswalk.
- Never dart out into the street, or cross between parked cars.
Parents: Be safe drivers this back-to-school season
Drivers, please be sure to slow down, especially in residential areas and school zones. Yellow flashing lights indicate a bus is getting ready to stop and drivers should slow down and be prepared to stop. Red flashing lights and an extended stop sign indicate the bus is stopped and children are getting on or off. Drivers in both directions must stop their vehicles and wait until the lights turn off, the bus’ stop sign is back in place and the bus is moving before they can start driving again.
Always remember to buckle up! Younger children should use car seats or booster seats until the lap-shoulder belt fits properly (typically for children ages 8 to 12 years and over 4’9”), and ride in the back seat until they are at least 13 years old.
Teenage drivers should be reminded to buckle up and put their cellphones away. Out of sight, out of mind! Make sure they get enough sleep and are not rushed to get out in the morning. It is always to better to be a little early arriving at school than speeding to make up for being late.
If children are walking to school, they should cross the street only at an intersection, and use a route along which the school has placed crossing guards.
