Important Safety Tips for Children Returning to School

Going back to school is an exciting time for children as they look forward to entering the next grade level, seeing their friends and meeting new people. Yet it can also be a time of unforeseen dangers. By teaching children basic back-to-school rules and tips regarding their safety, they enter this exciting time with the knowledge and skills they need to stay safe while enjoying this special time and throughout the school year.

Here are important tips that promote safety for children returning to school

Talk With Your Child About Safety

Be sure that your child knows his or her home phone number and address, your work number, the number of another trusted adult, and how to call 911 for emergencies. Teach your kids to never talk to or accept rides from strangers. When approached by a stranger or dangerous situation children should always think “No, Go, Yell, Tell.”

School Bus Safety

The biggest risk regarding school buses is children approaching and exiting the bus. Often children do not remember to follow best safety practices, so it is up to the motorists in the community to keep safety in mind.

Get to know the other parents of children who go to school with your child or ride the same bus. This will help to ensure someone is looking out for your child in the event you are not around. It is also a good idea to get to know the school bus driver.

Walking Safety

Children should walk in a group if possible. This provides safety in two ways: a group of students may be more visible to a driver than a single student and it provides personal safety from someone who may wish to do harm to a student.

It’s 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.

Biking Safety

Have your child wear a helmet every time he or she rides a bike. Make sure the bike is the correct size for the child. A bike that’s too big makes injuries more likely.

Learning safety early can help ensure a lifetime of safe bicycle riding. Before your child starts riding, be sure to teach him or her the rules of riding.

These are a few of the many safety tips for children as they return to school. The more parents can do to implement ideas into their routine the safer their children will be.

The HOA or community association plays a big part in community safety. Volunteer for a safety committee at your local association.

Happy returning to school. Stay Safe!