Back-to-School Safety Tips
With the new school year fast approaching everyone is preparing. Parents and students are buying school supplies. While teachers and administrators are finishing up lesson plans a schedules. They are many things that have to be done to be prepared for back to school. There are also several things that should be considered to increase safety for the new school year. The following tips come from Universal Protection Service.
- 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 house owner, 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.
- “Latchkey” kids need strict rules in place while they’re 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.
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In regards to bullying, SchoolTipline encourages students and parents to contact school administrators before the problem becomes too large.
SchoolTipline encourages families to be sure they are prepared for the new school year in every way possible. The tips above will help to increase safety for students and help the new school year begin smoothly.
Tags: back-to-school, school safety, schooltipline, Universal Protection Service
