Other Safety – School Year Safety

School Year Safety

August is a busy time of year for many parents as their children start school or go back to start a new school year. It is also an important time to review Back to School Safety. Here are some tips for staying safe during the school year:

School bus safety:

Getting on the bus:

• Stay away from traffic and avoid play or other behavior that can lead to carelessness
• Line up 6 feet away from the curb/road as the bus approaches
• Do not approach the bus until the bus comes to a complete stop and the door opens
• Use the handrail when boarding the bus

Safety on the bus:

• Buckle up if seat belts are available
• Speak softly and keep noise to a minimum, and do not distract the driver
• Stay in your seat
• Stay inside of the window
• Keep your belongings under your seat
• Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before you get out of your seat

Getting off the bus:

• Use the handrail when getting off the bus
• If you have to cross in front of the bus, first walk at least 10 ft ahead until you can see the driver
• Make sure the driver can see you
• When the driver signals, look left, then right, then left again. Walk across the road while keeping an eye out for sudden traffic changes
• If your vision is blocked, move to an area where you can see drivers and they can see you
• Stay away from the wheels of the bus at all times

According to NHTSA, more school-age pedestrians have been killed the hours before and after school than at any other time of day. And, although drivers are required by law to stop for a school bus when it’s loading or unloading passengers, they often don’t. Children should not rely on them to do so.

Walkers:

• Walk on the sidewalk; if there is no sidewalk and you must walk in the street, walk facing traffic
• Before crossing the street, stop and look left, right, and left again to see if cars are coming
• Never dart out in front of a parked car
• Parents: Practice walking to school with your child, crossing streets at crosswalks when available
• Never walk while texting or talking on the phone
• Do not walk while using headphones

Bike Riders:

• Always wear a helmet that is fitted and secured properly
• Children need to know the rules of the road: Ride single file on the right side of the road, come to a complete stop before crossing the street and walk the bike across
• Watch for opening car doors and other hazards
• Use hand signals when turning
• Wear bright-colored clothing

Drivers, Share the Road

• Don’t block crosswalks
• Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, and take extra care in school zones
• Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians
• Never pass a bus loading or unloading children
• The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them to enter and exit the bus safely

School Zone Safety:

• Adjust your route to avoid school zones.
• Slow down! Speed limits in school zones tend to be five to 10 miles per hour below the average posted speed.
• Stop for buses. Passing a stopped school bus is against the law.
• Watch for pedestrians, especially on sidewalks and around driveways, intersections, and residential neighborhoods.
• If you must drive through a school zone, give yourself extra time. Being in a hurry near pedestrians is never safe. Especially in highly populated areas, pedestrians may assume that because they can see your vehicle, you can see them and will stop. Avoid distractions like using a cellphone or looking for something in your car while driving in a zone with pedestrians.

Latchkey Kid Safety

• Set rules, expectations, and proper safety guidelines for things such as leaving the house, having friends over, cooking, and answering the phone
• Have emergency contact information readily available
• Safeguard your home. Lock up anything dangerous such as alcohol, firearms, and poisonous or flammable materials
• Create a family plan for fires or other emergencies and practice the plan
• Equip your child with a cellphone and program it with your number, 911, and any other emergency contacts like a neighbor or family member
• Place emergency numbers in a prominent location
• Teach them signs of danger like an open door or broken window
• Let your child know where you will be and when you will return
• Have a fire escape plan and plans for emergencies
• Have a first aid kit and all necessities available
• Check-in with your child/children periodically
• Be cautious where you hide keys
• Practice possible emergencies
• Make sure children don’t share that they are home alone with others. They should be taught not to answer unexpected phone calls or answer the doorbell
• Restrict online access

Resources:

https://www.protectamerica.com/latchkey-kids
https://www.aarp.org/auto/driver-safety/info-2017/school-zone-driver-safety-tips-fd.html
https://www.nsc.org/home-safety/tools-resources/seasonal-safety/back-to-school/bus
https://www.cpss.net/about/blog/2015/10/latchkey-kids-home-alone-safety-tips