Back to School Safety Tips for Parents

Arming your children with school safety advice when they are not with you will help protect your kids all through the school day. Going back to school can be an exciting time. Some kids look forward to meeting their new classmates, while others are old hands who can't wait to hook up with their friends. When children are traveling to and from school or are at school for the day, parents want to know that they are in safe hands. Here are some back-to-school safety tips that will protect your kids all through the school day.

Preparing For School
When children are going back to school, safety preparation starts before they even leave home. Take a look at what your children are wearing to school. Drawstrings on jackets, sweatshirts and other clothes may be fashionable, but they are also dangerous. They can get caught in doors, elevators and playground equipment. Remove any unnecessary drawstrings, especially those around the neck, and trim drawstrings at the waist or ankles to no longer than three inches.

Another issue is the amount of weight that children carry in their backpacks. It's amazing how quickly notebooks and textbooks can add up. Ideally, a backpack should be no more than 10% to 20% of a child's weight. It should have padded straps and padding against the back, with compartments for easy distribution of the items being carried. Place heavy items in the middle of the backpack and encourage children to use both straps so that the weight is evenly distributed. A wheeled backpack is an alternative, though it may be difficult to maneuver in some weather and on stairs. Check to see what meals are being provided at school, so that you can provide an alternative if it's something that your child won't eat. Pack a healthy lunch and snacks and avoid sugary drinks.

The School Bus
Another key area to consider is traveling to school. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, some 24 million students go to school on a school bus. Many more bike or walk to school.

When waiting for the school bus, children should not play in the street. They should line up facing the bus, not at its side. All their belongings should be packed safely away in their backpacks. If loose items roll under the bus, then children should not reach under it to get them. If approaching the bus, children should wait for a signal from the driver and walk where they can be seen. When leaving the bus, children should immediately step onto the sidewalk and away from the traffic. Inside the bus, use any safety harnesses that are provided.

Those who are riding to school should wear a bicycle helmet, even if the school is only a short distance away. Wearing bright clothing makes it easier for drivers and others to see kids. Ideally, clothing should fit well so that it doesn't get caught on bicycle chains and spokes, which could cause an accident. Riders must pay attention to traffic signals and should walk bikes across intersections for added safety. To enhance safety, children should travel to school in pairs or groups. Children who are walking to school should also travel in pairs or groups.

Parental Tasks
It's helpful if parents accompany kids the first few times to check that they are comfortable with the route they need to take and the safety precautions they need to observe. If you are driving your children to school, make sure that children under 13 are in the back of the car and are using either a suitable child seat or seat belt. Wait until they are safely on the premises before driving off, as children have been known to disappear outside the school gates.

Although young children should always be supervised, there may be times when your children have to return home when you can't be there. If that happens, tell your children to keep the door shut once they get inside. In addition, arrange a check-in system so that you can be sure that they have arrived safely. If possible, enlist the help of a neighbor or trusted friend to make sure that your children are safe.