It’s hard to believe that it’s already the beginning of another school year. As the new academic term ramps up, life can get pretty busy. We’re rounding up some of our favorite school safety tips to share with the students in your life!
Getting to School
Distracted walking is a real danger, especially in a crowded school zone. Remind students to put their phones away while walking and pay attention to their surroundings. Walkers should stay on the sidewalk when available. If there is no sidewalk, pedestrians should walk facing traffic.
For cyclists, it’s important to follow all traffic laws. Ride on the right side of the road with traffic. Ride in single file and come to a complete stop before crossing the street. Wear bright clothing and a helmet that fits properly.
Bus riders should always use the handrail when boarding and stepping down from the bus. Never approach the bus until it has come to a complete stop and the driver has opened the door. Students should always make sure that the bus driver can see them when exiting the bus, and stay away from the rear wheels of the vehicle.
If you drive your child to school, obey school zone speed limits and never pass a bus that is loading or unloading students. Follow the school’s drop-off procedure, and stay alert. If your teen is driving to school, make sure they get plenty of time driving practice time before and after they get their license.
School Equipment
When it comes to choosing a backpack, it’s important to make sure that the backpack is safe and comfortable for your child to carry. Students should use both straps when wearing their backpacks in order to distribute the weight evenly on their shoulders. Backpacks should not weigh more than 5-10% of a child’s body weight.
You can help keep your child safer on the playground by keeping necklaces and jackets with drawstrings at home to prevent strangulation hazards. Talk to your child about taking turns and being patient—everyone rushing for the swings at the same time might result in a few preventable scraped knees! If your child plays sports, you can expect to see the occasional bump or bruise. But if a head injury occurs, make sure to get it checked out.
If you or a loved one has been injured, contact the Schuerman Law office today. Schuerman Law has been working with personal injury claims such as playground accidents for over 40 years. John Schuerman is a compassionate advocate for individuals who have been injured as well as for their families. He will aggressively fight for full compensation for injury victims’ claims. Schuerman Law has evening and weekend appointments available in addition to home and hospital visits. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 1-800-274-0045.
