Back to School Safety Tips

Even though it seems like the summer just started it’s back to school time again which means more traffic during the mornings and afternoons, more buses and car pooling kids. Here are some quick tips for you (and your children) on how to stay safe if they ride the bus or walk to school.

Bus Safety Tips

-Pay attention to your surroundings, listening to music, texting or playing games can lead to distractions and potential injury.

-Stay 10 giant steps away from the bus while you wait for it to come to a complete stop so that the driver can see you.

-Visibility up close to the bus can be minimal. If you drop something close to the bus notify the bus driver before you bend down to pick it up. Stay away from the wheels at all times.

-Be cautious of clothing or backpacks with drawstrings, toggles or key chains that can get caught in the bus handrails and doors.

-Be courteous and respectful to the bus driver. Listen to directions.

For more information visit the National Safety Council at NSC.org.

Pedestrian Safety Tips

-Put down phones, headphones and devices before crossing the street.

-Teach your kids to make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street to make sure they are seen. This applies to every driver if they are crossing multiple lanes of traffic.

-It is always best to walk on sidewalks or paths and cross at street corners using traffic signals and crosswalks. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.

-Watch for cars backing out of driveways.

-Children under 10 should always cross the street with an adult when possible. Most children under 10 have a hard time judging speed and distance of oncoming cars.

For more information go to safekids.org.