BACK TO SCHOOL SAFETY

As summer draws to a close and children start heading back to school, life can get pretty hectic. It's important to remember – and share with your children – some key tips that will help keep them safe throughout the school year.

Transportation Safety

Whether children walk or take the bus to school, it is extremely important that they take proper safety precautions. Here are some tips to make sure your child safely travels to school:

Walking to school

Review your family’s walking safety rules and practice walking to school with your child 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.

Riding the bus to school

Teach your children school bus safety rules and practice with them 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 six feet (or 3 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.

School Safety

Many school-related injuries are completely preventable. Follow these steps to ensure your child’s safety at school: Preventing backpack-related injuries

Choose a backpack for your child carefully; it should have ergonomically designed features to enhance safety and comfort

Ask your child to use both straps when wearing their backpack to evenly distribute the weight on their shoulders. Don’t overstuff a backpack; it should weigh no more than 5-10% of your child’s body weight. Rolling backpacks should be used cautiously since they can create a trip hazard in crowded school hallways.

For more information on School Safety tips, visit:

www.nsc.org/community-safety/safety-topics/school-safety/school-safety-home