BACK TO SCHOOL SAFETY

By Connie Hogue, Vice President of Human Resources & Safety

And just like that—another summer break has come and gone, and school will soon be in session. It is time for you and your child to prepare for the school year. Consider and prioritize the most important things for you and your family. Before classes start back up, talk to your child about school safety, specifically how to get to school safely.

Whether you drive your child to school, or they decide to bike, walk or take the bus, make sure they understand the safety measures and precautions they must take for their protection.

Driving Safety Tips

Driving your child to school can give you more peace of mind since you are responsible for getting them to school safely.

• Always wear a seatbelt. It is the law.

• Watch for flashing school zone signs and obey the posted speed limit.

• Remain focused on the road and watch your surroundings.

• Stay at least ten feet in front of or behind the school bus.

Biking Safety Tips

If you cannot drive your child to school, and you live close enough for them to ride their bike, choose the safest route. Practice the path with them until they feel comfortable navigating it on their own.

• Ensure your child always wears a helmet.

• Make sure their bike has reflectors.

• Explain why they need to ride their bike on the righthand side of the road (going with the flow of traffic).

• Teach them how to follow the signs and rules of the road.

Walking Safety Tips

If you live within walking distance to the school, and your child feels comfortable walking, share traffic safety awareness information with them.

Then, practice walking the designated path with your child. You should walk the route with them for at least a week before they walk it unaccompanied.

• Help your child map out enough time to arrive 10 minutes prior to school starting.

• Teach them to always walk on sidewalks and crosswalks and follow the road signs.

• Explain to your child that they should never interact with strangers or accept rides from anyone, even if it is from someone they know. Unless they have your permission to do so.

School Bus Safety Tips

The bus driver is responsible for safely transporting your child to and from school.

• Make it a habit to be at the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.

• Tell your child that they must remain seated on the bus until they have reached their destination and the bus has stopped.

• Teach your child to be courteous and not do anything to distract the bus driver.

• Explain that the first ten feet around a school bus is the most dangerous, and they must keep their distance until they are certain the bus driver can see them.

Emergency Plan

Your child arriving at school safely is not your only concern. You and your family should create an emergency plan. Even though your child’s school already has an emergency plan—in case of severe weather, disaster or any other unfortunate circumstances—creating a plan specifically for your family adds an extra level of protection.

The plan should include:

• Updated contact information such as names, phone numbers, email, home and business addresses.

• The designated meeting locations, addresses, and other vital information that will help you and your family.

Do not forget to share the emergency plan and transportation safety tips with your child. Once you have these conversations with your child, they will be ready to take on the new school year.