With the arrival of a new school year, there are many situations children may face.  Educating our children about general safety rules can greatly add to their physical and mental well-being.  Keeping children safe is the top priority, especially for younger children and those heading to school for the first time. Parents should take the following steps:

• Make sure the child knows their phone number, address, how to get in touch with their parents at work, how to get in touch with another trusted adult and how to dial 9-1-1.
• Teach children not to talk to strangers or accept rides from someone they don’t know.
• Instruct your children not to leave school with anyone unless they check with the office first.
• Inform the school, in writing, if you are making any changes in your child’s schedule (e.g., taking your child out of school early, or having someone else pick up your child).

SCHOOL BUS SAFETY If children ride a bus to school, they should plan to get to their bus stop early and stand away from the curb while waiting for the bus to arrive. Other safety steps for students include:

• Board the bus only after it has come to a complete stop and the driver or attendant has instructed you to get on.
• Only board your bus and never an alternate one.
• Always stay in clear view of the bus driver and never walk behind the bus.
• Cross the street at the corner, obeying traffic signals and staying in the crosswalk.
• Never dart out into the street, or cross between parked cars.
• Be a good role model for your younger brothers and sisters and friends, and help them learn and practice the safety rules.

WHAT DRIVERS SHOULD KNOW Drivers should be aware that children are out walking or biking to school and slow down, especially in residential areas and school zones. Motorists should know what the yellow and red bus signals mean. Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is getting ready to stop and motorists should slow down and be prepared to stop. Red flashing lights and an extended stop sign indicate the bus is stopped and children are getting on or off. Drivers in both directions must stop their vehicles and wait until the lights go off, the stop sign is back in place and the bus is moving before they can start driving again.

• ABSOLUTELY NO TEXTING AND DRIVING!!!
• Stay Alert! Make a mental note of any new/existing bus stops or students walking to and from school. This way you won’t be surprised and will be prepared if your need to stop.
• Talk with your teen drivers. Remind your teen drivers about the importance of being extra careful in and around school zones. 

GET TO SCHOOL SAFELY If children ride in a car to get to school, they should always wear a seat belt. Younger children should use car seats or booster seats until the lap-shoulder belt fits properly (typically for children ages 8-12 and over 4’9”), and ride in the back seat until they are at least 13 years old.

If a teenager is going to drive to school, parents should mandate that they use seat belts. Drivers should not use their cell phone to text or make calls, and should avoid eating or drinking while driving.

Some students ride their bike to school. They should always wear a helmet and ride on the right in the same direction as the traffic is going.

When children are walking to school, they should only cross the street at an intersection, and use a route along which the school has placed crossing guards. Parents should walk young children to school, along with children taking new routes or attending new schools, at least for the first week to ensure they know how to get there safely. Arrange for the kids to walk to school with a friend or classmate. 

For more safety information visit http://www.redcross.org.