Back-to-School Safety Tips
RISMEDIA, August 11, 2010--It's almost time to send your
children back to school, and some parents may be breathing a sigh of
relief after the long summer. But before you pack the kids up and rush
them out the door, there are a few things to keep in mind regarding
their wellbeing. Universal Services of America gives you the following
tips to help ensure the safety of your little ones, as you send them off
to tackle another school year.
-- Walking to and from school: map out the route your child will take
and know who lives along it. While you don't have to know every
homeowner, it is important you research for any possible sexual
predators that may live in the area. Also advise your children to stay
on the preselected path and avoid any parks, alleys, fields, etc., where
there aren't a lot of people around. Find out beforehand if there will
be crossing guards at the intersections, and arrange for neighborhood
children to walk together. Ensure your child knows their address and
phone number.
-- Riding a bike or scooter: make sure they know and obey the traffic
laws and wear proper safety equipment. Bike helmets, sturdy shoes and a
backpack that isn't overloaded will all help make the trip easier and
safer for your little one.
-- If you plan on driving your child to school, make sure you see them enter the school yard or building before you leave.
-- If your child will be taking the bus, instruct them to arrive at the
stop early, stay out of the street while waiting and always keep
themselves visible to the bus driver.
-- Dealing with bullies: teach your child to stand tall, remain calm
and walk away from difficult confrontations; if you suspect your child
is being bullied, visit the school immediately and explain the situation
to the principal.
-- Playground safety: check out the equipment your child will be
playing on and report any potential hazards. Remove the drawstrings from
around the neck of clothing; any drawstrings at the waist or bottom of a
garment should be trimmed to no more than three inches long.
-- Children need strict rules in place if they will be home alone: set a
check-in time for them to call and let you know they made it home, and
make sure they understand to keep the doors locked once they're inside.
Additionally, you and your children should make plans beforehand for
what they need to do in emergency situations, such as fires, accidents,
earthquakes, etc.
-- Remaining healthy and drug/alcohol-free can be challenging for kids
when faced with peer pressure; take this opportunity to speak to them
about it. The Office of National Drug Control Policy has launched a
campaign called Above the Influence to help you approach this topic with
your children. You can access their information at:
http://www.abovetheinfluence.com/heatmap/