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