Parents: Are you ready to send your child back to school? If you have already done the back to school supply shopping and revamped your child’s wardrobe, you probably responded to that question with a “Yes”.

However, you may also want to discuss a few safety tips with your child to ensure that they go back to school safe and sound.

Tips for children who walk to school

• Plan a route for your child to take to school every day and communicate the importance of them following this route every day

• Have your child walk to school with a group of children or accompany them on their way to school

• Attach a reflective button or reflective material to the back of your child’s backpack

• Talk to your child about what to do if they are approached by a stranger

• Express the importance of crossing the street at crosswalks and when crossing guards are present

Tips for children who ride a bike to school

• Remind your child to always wear a helmet

• Attach a reflective button or reflective material to the back of your child’s backpack

• Teach your child the proper hand signals and rules of the road

Tips for children riding the bus to school

• Make sure your child can see the bus driver before boarding the bus

• Inform your child that the bus driver is in-charge and the importance of respecting the bus riding rules

• Express the importance of waiting at the bus stops and not approaching the bus before it has come to a complete stop

These tips are especially important for child to learn as their morning commute often occurs when visibility is poor and sleepy drivers are on the road.

Additionally, if you drive your child to school, there are also some things for parents to remember. If you are not a morning person, make sure you perk yourself up for the drive to school. Some children may still dart across the street without looking or ride their bikes off the sidewalk, so be alert.

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Tracy

08-07-2008 2:15 PM

Great ideas Kim - thanks for the list!