Back to School Safety

It's back to school time and kids are heading out the door to join their classmates. In all the back to school fun, remember some general safety tips for school travel in your neighborhood. Make sure to talk to your child about these safety tips.

Travel Tips 

School Bus

• If your child’s school bus has lap/shoulder seat belts, make sure your child uses one at all times when in the bus
• Do not move around on the bus
• Check to see that no other traffic is coming before crossing
• Always remain in clear view of the bus driver
• Teach children the proper way to get on and off the bus 

Car

• Wear a seat belt or age and size appropriate car safety seat or booster seat
• All children under 13 years of age should ride in the rear seat of vehicles
• Do not allow your teen to drive while eating, drinking, or talking on a cell phone

Bike

• Always wear a bicycle helmet
• Ride on the right, in the same direction as auto traffic
• Use appropriate hand signals
• Respect traffic lights, stop signs and rules of the road (teach them the rules of the road)
• Wear bright color clothing to increase visibility

Walking to School 

• A safe route with well-trained adult crossing guards at every intersection
• Consider whether or not your child is ready to walk to school without adult supervision
• Bright colored clothing will make your child more visible to drivers
• Talk to your child about stranger danger 

General Tips

• Drawstrings at the waist or bottom of jackets should extend no more than 3 inches to prevent catching in car and school bus doors or getting caught on playground equipment
• Check the surfaces around playground equipment at schools and parks
• Make sure the child's backpack is the appropriate size (never wider or longer than your child's torso and never hanging more than 4 inches below the waist)
• Buy a backpack with reflective material