As summer comes to an end and children start heading back to school, the first week can be quite hectic and exhausting for many parents and students. It’s important to remember and share with your children some safety tips for back school.

Transportation Safety:

Walkers:

• 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
• Leave early enough to arrive at school at least 10 minutes prior to the start of school
• Go straight home after school. Do not go anywhere else without permission
• Try and walk to school with other students
• Avoid talking to strangers

Bike Riders:

• Always wear a helmet
• Ride in the same direction as traffic, and follow traffic signs and signals
• Stay in the bike lane whenever possible
• Never use electronics while riding
• Come to a complete stop before crossing the street; walk bikes across the street
• Choose the safest route between home and school and practice it with children until they can demonstrate traffic safety awareness
• If possible, try to ride with someone else

Bus Riders:

• Stand 6 feet (or three giant steps) away from the curb
• Arrive at the bus stop five minutes before the scheduled arrival of the bus
• Avoid excessive horseplay while waiting for the school bus
• Be sure the bus comes to a complete stop before getting on or off
• Make sure your child understands they must remain seated and keep their head and arms inside the bus at all times
• Do not distract the bus driver

Parents Driving Your Child to School:

• Never pass a bus loading or unloading children
• Be on the lookout for school zone signals and ALWAYS obey the speed limits
• Be sure to slow down and obey all traffic laws in the School Zones
• Never pass other vehicles while driving in a school zone
• Put down the cell phones, unless handsfree