Back to school safety tips

Summer is winding down and your child is moving on to a new school year, new teachers, new friends, and new adventures. With your child no longer under your watchful eye, the "back-to-school" season can mean more independence for your child and more responsibility on your part - and your child's - to stay safe.

Helmet use, backpack safety, safe lunches, school bus and crosswalk safety are just a few of the many areas of back-to-school safety for your child. Talk to your child about some of the following basic safety tips:

• Always have your child wear a helmet when rollerblading, skateboarding, biking or on a scooter. Be sure to have the right kind of helmet for the activity and that it fits your child properly.

• Choose the right size pack for your child's back as well as one with enough room for necessary school items. Never let your child carry more than 15 percent of his or her body weight, loading heaviest items closest to his or her back.

• Teach your child to wash their hands before they eat. Wash all fruits and vegetables well, with clean water, before giving to your child to eat and be sure to wash multiple-use water bottles daily with hot soapy water.

• Have a safe place for your child to wait for the bus, away from traffic and the street. Teach your child to stay away from the bus until it comes to a complete stop and the driver signals him or her to enter.

• Before your child crosses a street, have him or her stop at the edge and look both ways. Teach your child what the traffic signs mean and to never run out into the street.

School bus transportation is safe. In fact, buses are safer than cars! More often than not, deaths and injuries don't occur in a crash, but as the pupils were entering and exiting the bus. Remember these safety tips:

• Have a safe place to wait for your bus, away from traffic and the street.

• Stay away from the bus until it comes to a complete stop and the driver signals you to enter.

• When being dropped off, exit the bus and walk ten giant steps away from the bus. Keep a safe distance between you and the bus. Also, remember that the bus driver can see you best when you are back away from the bus.

• Use the handrail to enter and exit the bus.

• Stay away from the bus until the driver gives his/her signal that it's okay to approach.

• Be aware of the street traffic around you. Drivers are required to follow certain rules of the road concerning school buses, however, not all do. Protect yourself and watch out!

Drivers are reminded that they cannot pass a bus with its warning lights flashing.

Walking and Biking to School

Even if you don't ride in a motor vehicle, you still have to protect yourself. Because of minimal supervision, young pedestrians face a wide variety of decisions making situations and dangers while walking to and from school. Here are a few basic safety tips to follow:

• Mind all traffic signals and/or the crossing guard -- never cross the street against a light, even if you don't see any traffic coming.

• Walk your bike through intersections. • Walk with a buddy. • Wear reflective material...it makes you more visible to street traffic. The Partnership for a Walkable America has some more information on this topic.

Riding in a Car

• You might have heard before that most traffic crashes occur close to home ... they do.

• Safety belts are the best form of protection passengers have in the event of a crash. They can lower your risk of injury by 45%.

• You are four times more likely to be seriously injured or killed if ejected from the vehicle in a crash.