Blog
Summer is coming to a close for students and the new school year is on the horizon. With this change school related hazards will be re-entering our lives after lying dormant the past couple of months. It is time to refresh your children and yourself on the steps to take to assure “Back to School” is a safe experience for all.
With the start of school comes backpacks and books. It’s important to remember a few simple safety rules when it comes to backpacks:
Make sure your child’s backpack is ergonomically designed for use as a school backpack and can properly distribute and support the weight of their books and notebooks
It’s always easier to throw a backpack on one shoulder, but using both straps on their shoulders will distribute the weight of the backpack more evenly on their shoulders and reduce the strain
Don’t overstuff! Keeping the weight of the backpack and its contents to a manageable amount is important to back health. The backpack and contents should not weigh more than 5-10% of your child’s body weight.
Rolling backpacks can be a tripping hazard in crowded hallways. They should be used cautiously and your child should be aware of others moving around them to prevent trip and fall incidents.
Whether your child walks, rides a bike, or rides the bus there are important safety measures for them to take:
Stop and look left, look right, and then look left again to check for approaching vehicles
Ensure vehicles approaching at a designated crossing have come to a complete stop before crossing
Make eye contact with the driver(s) to assure they have been seen
Stay alert and avoid distractions. Remain focused on your surroundings and what is occurring around you.
Bus riders must remember to:
Remain at least 6 feet away from the curb until the bus has come to a complete stop before boarding
Be at least 10 feet in front of the bus when crossing the road to assure the bus driver can see them
For the rest of us, we must be mindful that school means:
Children going to and from school on foot or bikes
Children waiting for and getting on or off busses
School zones
Changes in traffic patterns
As drivers, we need to:
Avoid distraction and remain focused on vehicles and people around us
Maintain visual contact with children crossing streets
Obey school zones
Respect busses and the rules for a stopped bus
The start of a new school year can be a time of chaos and excitement as summer ends for children and the next chapter of their lives begins. Following these safety rules and remaining vigilant will ensure it does not become a time of tragedy as well.
We wish your children an exciting and successful school year!
