When You Consider Keep Kids Safe as They Head Back to School, What About At Home?

Summer vacation is drawing to a close and pretty soon the bells will be ringing to mark a new school year. The American Red Cross has steps that everyone can take to make the trip back to the classroom safer.

Keeping children safe is the top priority, especially for younger children and those heading to school for the first time. Parents should take the following steps:

• Make sure the child knows their phone number, address, how to get in touch with their parents at work, how to get in touch with another trusted adult and how to dial 9-1-1.
• Teach children not to talk to strangers or accept rides from someone they don’t know.

SCHOOL BUS SAFETY If children ride a bus to school, they should plan to get to their bus stop early and stand away from the curb while waiting for the bus to arrive. Other safety steps for students include:

• Board the bus only after it has come to a complete stop and the driver or attendant has instructed you to get on.
• Only board your bus and never an alternate one.
• Always stay in clear view of the bus driver and never walk behind the bus.
• Cross the street at the corner, obeying traffic signals and staying in the crosswalk.
• Never dart out into the street, or cross between parked cars.

WHAT DRIVERS SHOULD KNOW Drivers should be aware that children are out walking or biking to school and slow down, especially in residential areas and school zones. Motorists should know what the yellow and red bus signals mean. Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is getting ready to stop and motorists should slow down and be prepared to stop. Red flashing lights and an extended stop sign indicate the bus is stopped and children are getting on or off. Drivers in both directions must stop their vehicles and wait until the lights go off, the stop sign is back in place and the bus is moving before they can start driving again.

GET TO SCHOOL SAFELY If children ride in a car to get to school, they should always wear a seat belt. Younger children should use car seats or booster seats until the lap-shoulder belt fits properly (typically for children ages 8-12 and over 4’9”), and ride in the back seat until they are at least 13 years old.

However, when all media considering about the keep kids safe as they head back to school. Have you ever really consider kids safe when they at home? Accidents happen, and there will be minor scrapes and bruises along the way, especially as kids grow and discover new things. And that’s OK. The problem is the more serious injuries that are often completely preventable.So, should learn about all the things you can do to help ensure that your kids get the freedom that comes from being active, healthy and safe at home.


Risk Areas

Batteries
Burns and Scalds
Carbon Monoxide
Choking and Strangulation
Falls
Fire
Guns
Liquid Laundry Packets
Medication
Poison
Sleep Safety and Suffocation
Toy Safety
TV and Furniture Tip-Overs
Water and Drowning