Back to School Safety for 2005

As we pack our K-12 kids up and get them ready for? Always be prepared to stop.
another school year, we need to be constantly thinking? Wear brightly colored clothing.
about their safety. This applies both to their travel to? Don't wear headphones, loose clothing or
and from school and their safety while on schoolinappropriate shoes.
grounds.Remember these safety tips for entering and exiting
Parent drivers must remain watchful. Children dartthe school bus:
unexpectedly into traffic, often from between parked? Have a safe place to wait for your bus, away from
cars. And young pedestrians face a variety oftraffic and the street.
dangers while walking to and from school. Here are a? Stay away from the bus until it comes to a
few basic safety tips to follow:complete stop.
? Mind all traffic signals and the crossing guard.? When being dropped off, exit the bus and walk ten
? Walk your bike through intersections.steps away from the bus. Also, remember that the
? Walk with a buddy.bus driver can see you best when you are away
? Wear reflective material. It makes you more visiblefrom the bus.
to street traffic.? Use the handrail to enter and exit the bus.
The US Dep't. of Transportation's National Highway? Be aware of street traffic. Drivers are required to
Traffic Safety Administration suggests the followingfollow the rules of the road concerning school buses,
safe bicycling practices:but not all do. Protect yourself and watch out.
? Always wear a helmet.You may think that riding in a car is completely safe.
? Always ride on the right side of the road. Never rideBut there are still rules you must follow to avoid
against traffic.accidents when riding in a car:
? Ride single file. When passing other bikers or? Don't forget that most traffic crashes occur close to
pedestrians, let them know your position by shoutinghome.
out something like, "On your left!"? Safety belts are the best form of protection in the
? Always check behind you before changing lanes.event of a crash. Everyone needs to be buckled up
? Watch out for dangerous things in the roadway.properly: older kids in seat belts, younger kids in
Litter, potholes, gravel and storm drains all can causebooster seats and toddlers in child safety seats.
you to lose control.The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has a
? Stop at all stop signs and at all traffic lights. Be extra"Back to School Safety Checklist" with tips on making
careful at crossroads.schools, child care facilities and playgrounds safer.
? Always signal before making a left or right turn.Hidden hazards from the checklist include the following:
? Maintain control of your bike. Don't swerve or makePlaygrounds -- Check the surfaces around equipment.
sudden turns.There should be a 12-inch depth of wood chips, mulch,
? Use caution when riding next to parked cars tosand or pea gravel, or there should be mats made of
avoid injury from someone suddenly opening a carsafety-tested rubber or fiber material to prevent head
door in front of you.injury when a child falls.
? Listen for cars approaching from the side or behindDrawstrings on jackets and sweatshirts -- Remove
you.them from around the neck. They can cause
? Don't follow a car too closely. You may be in thestrangulation by catching on things. Cut drawstrings at
blind spot, where the driver cannot see you, and youthe waist or bottom of jackets to three inches.
may be unable to stop if the car comes to a suddenWindow blind cords -- If the windows in your home,
halt.childcare centers or schools have blinds, cut the loop
? Know your road signs and obey them.and attach separate tassels to prevent entanglement.