School is back in full force. With this comes children filling the streets. Every year hundreds of children, walk, bike and bus to school daily. Following is the top Back to school safety tips.
1. Walking to School: According to Parents Central, in 2010, 19% of all children 5 to 9 that were killed in a traffic accident were pedestrians. This is why educating children about walking safety is imperative. All children 10 and under need to be accompanied by an adult. Always, do your research to find the safest walking route for your children. A few good characteristics to look for, include, excellent lighting, appropriate crosswalks, low speed and minimal traffic. Also, consider walking the route with your children several times for preparation and confidence.
2. Biking to School: Biking to school is another popular form of transportation. For safety, always wear appropriate fitting gear. Many of the same walking tips apply to biking as well. Always know appropriate biking laws. In addition, locate the safest route.
3. Bus Safety: According to Parents Central, riding the bus is the safest way to get back and forth to school. Children should know the basics of bus safety. Below are the most important:
- Always be aware of traffic.
- Always wait for the bus to make a complete stop before entering or exiting.
- Stay at least 10 steps back from the bus stop.
- Stay a safe distance from the street and avoid playing. This can cause a distraction.
- Keep away from the bus wheels.
- Always wait for the driver to confirm it is safe to cross in front of the bus.
The school season is an exciting time. Use these back to school safety tips. It is important to take safety precautions throughout the year. For more information on other safety issues and concerns, give us a call today.