Back to School Safety
Now that our kids are back in school, family life is about to get really hectic. But we can also breath a sigh of relief that our kids are occupied with learning and things you can feel good about! Back to school also means it’s time to review back to school safety.
Back to school safety encompasses more than being prepared against Covid and other socially transmitted illnesses, there are also basic safety rules that are important to review with the kids. This week we want to share a few of those tips with your family.
DOWNLOAD SAFETY CHECKLIST HERE
Guard Against Germs with Tasty Clean
Tasty Clean is the perfect back to school staple to help you keep all your oral appliances clean and fresh. Stock up on our conveniently sized bottles of Tasty Clean in delicious flavors for the locker, the backpack, and sports bags. Visit our store here.
Transportation Safety
Whether children walk, ride their bicycle or take the bus to school, it is extremely important that they take proper safety precautions. Here are some tips to make sure your child safely travels to school:
Walkers »
Review your family’s walking safety rules and practice walking to school with your child.
- Walk on the sidewalk, if one is available; when on a street with no sidewalk, walk facing the traffic
- Before you cross the street, stop and look left, right and left again to see if cars are coming
- Make eye contact with drivers before crossing and always cross streets at crosswalks or intersections
- Stay alert and avoid distracted walking
Bike Riders »
Teach your child the rules of the road and practice riding the bike route to school with your child.
- Ride on the right side of the road, with traffic, and in a single file
- Come to a complete stop before crossing the street; walk bikes across the street
- Stay alert and avoid distracted riding
- Make sure your child always wears a properly fitted helmet and bright clothing
Bus Riders »
Teach your children school bus safety rules and practice with them.
- Go to the bus stop with your child to teach them the proper way to get on and off the bus
- Teach your children to stand 6 feet (or three giant steps) away from the curb
- If your child must cross the street in front of the bus, teach him or her 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 each other
- Get the facts on bus safety from Injury Facts
Driving Your Child to School »
Stay alert and avoid distracted driving.
- Obey school zone speed limits and follow your school’s drop-off procedure
- Make eye contact with children who are crossing the street
- 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 safely enter and exit the bus
Teen Drivers »
Car crashes are the No. 1 cause of death for teens. Fortunately, there is something we can do.
- Teens crash because they are inexperienced; practice with new drivers every week, before and after they get their license
- Set a good example; drive the way you want your teen to drive
- Sign the New Driver Deal, an agreement that helps define expectations for parents and teens
School Safety
Many School-related injuries are completely preventable. Follow these steps to ensure your child’s safety at school.
Backpacks »
Choose a backpack for your child carefully; it should have ergonomically designed features to enhance safety and comfort.
- Ask your children to use both straps when wearing their backpack to evenly distribute the weight on their shoulders
- Don’t overstuff a backpack; it should weigh no more than 5% to 10% of your child’s body weight
- Rolling backpacks should be used cautiously since they can create a trip hazard in crowded school hallways
Playgrounds and Sports »
- To reduce strangulation hazards on playgrounds, have your child leave necklaces and jackets with drawstrings at home
- A few bumps and bruises can be expected when your child plays sports, but head injuries should never be ignored
Article source: National Safety Council NSC.org.