Back to school safety tips

As summer draws to a close and children start heading back to school, family life can get pretty hectic. It’s important to remember – and share with your children – some key tips that will help keep them safe and throughout the school year. Check out these tips from the National Safety Council:

Whether children walk, ride their bicycle, take the bus or are driven to school, it is extremely important that they take proper safety precautions.

Walkers

• Walk on the sidewalk, if one is available; when on a street with no sidewalk, walk facing the traffic.
• Before you cross the street, stop and look left, right and left again to see if cars are coming.
• Make eye contact with drivers before crossing and always cross streets at crosswalks or intersections.
• Stay alert and avoid distracted walking.

Bike Riders

• Ride on the right side of the road, with traffic, and in a single file.
• Come to a complete stop before crossing the street; walk bikes across the street.
• Stay alert and avoid distracted riding.
• Make sure your child always wears a properly fitted helmet and bright clothing.

Bus Riders

• Go to the bus stop with your child to teach them the proper way to get on and off the bus.
• Teach your children to stand 6 feet (or three giant steps) away from the curb.
• If your child must cross the street in front of the bus, teach him or her to walk on the side of the road until they are 10 feet ahead of the bus; your child and the bus driver should always be able to see each other.

Driving Your Child to School

• Stay alert and avoid distracted driving.
• Obey school zone speed limits and follow your school’s drop-off procedure.
• Make eye contact with children who are crossing the street.
• Never pass a bus loading or unloading children.

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