It’s back to school season, so it’s a great time to revisit some important school safety tips. No matter how your child gets to school each day, there are safety considerations to keep in mind, so let’s start with school transportation safety.
Transportation Safety
If your child walks to school, teach them to stay on the sidewalk when available. If they need to walk on a street with no sidewalk, they should walk facing traffic. Look left, right, and left again to check for vehicles before crossing the street. Make eye contact with drivers before crossing and be sure to only use designated crosswalks or intersections.
If your child bikes to school, it’s important to teach them the rules of the road: ride on the right side, along with traffic, and stay single file. Stop completely before crossing the street and walk bikes across the street. Wear bright clothing for visibility and a helmet that fits properly for protection.
Bus riders should learn how to get on and off the bus safely. Teach your child to stand 6 feet away from the curb. If your child needs to cross the street in front of the bus, teach them to walk on the side of the road until they are 10 feet ahead of the bus. Your child and the bus driver should always be able to see one another.
Driving your child to school? Obey all school zone speed limits and get to know the school’s drop-off procedures. Make eye contact with kids who are crossing the street and never pass a bus that is loading or unloading children.
Remember, yellow flashing lights on a school bus signal that you should slow down because the bus is getting ready to stop. Red flashing lights mean stop and wait because children are getting on or off the bus. Don’t start driving until the red lights are no longer flashing, the stop-arm is down, and the bus is moving.
Find the Right Equipment
Children’s backpacks should be designed for both safety and comfort. Use both straps when wearing the backpack to evenly distribute the weight. Your child’s backpack shouldn’t weigh more than 5-10% of their body weight.
If your child plays sports, find out what kind of gear they need to play safely. Properly fitting shoes can prevent numerous injuries. Necklaces and jackets with drawstrings should stay at home to reduce strangulation hazards on the playground.
Prioritize Rest
Getting enough sleep helps students be successful in school. Set a consistent bedtime and turn off electronic devices well before that time. Building a good sleep routine now will help your child get the optimal amount of sleep for their age: 10-12 hours a night for younger children and 8-10 hours a night for adolescents.
If you or a loved one has been injured, contact the Schuerman Law office today. Schuerman Law has been working with personal injury claims for over 40 years. John Schuerman will compassionately advocate for injured individuals as well as their families while fighting for full compensation of their claims. Schuerman Law offers evening and weekend appointments in addition to home and hospital visits. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 1-800-274-0045.
