As the lazy days of summer draw to a close, parents need to prepare their children to go back to school. Freshly sharpened pencils and a good breakfast are not the only tools to success- the most important thing you can give your child this year is the knowledge of not only how to remain safe while at school, but also during the journey to and from class.
Children's Hospital of Alabama and the American Academy of Pediatrics offer these important reminders:
BACKPACK SAFETY
* Choose a backpack with wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back.
* Pack light. Organize the backpack to use all of its compartments. Pack heavier items closest to the center of the back. The backpack should never weigh more than 10to 20 percent of your child's body weight.
* Always use both shoulder straps. Slinging a backpack over one shoulder can strain muscles.
* Consider a rolling backpack. This type of backpack may be a good choice for students who must tote a heavy load. Remember that rolling backpacks still must be carried up stairs.
PLAYGROUND SAFETY
* Check playgrounds where your children play. Look for age-appropriate equipment and hazards, such as rusted or broken equipment and dangerous surfaces. Report any hazards to the school or municipality.
* Avoid playing on non-impact absorbing surfaces, like concrete or gravel.
* Teach children proper playground behavior: no pushing, shoving or crowding.
TRAVELING TO AND FROM SCHOOL
School Bus
According to Safe Kids Worldwide, a school bus is the safest way for children to get to school. Fatal crashes involving school bus occupants are extremely rare events, even though school buses serve about 23.5 children daily in nearly every community. Although this is one of the safest ways to travel to and from school, injuries do occur. In 1999, 31 children ages 14 and under were killed in bus-related traffic crashes. An estimated 7,000 children were in school bus-related incidents.
Here are ten school bus safety tips that all children and parents should know:
* Arrive at the bus stop five minutes early.
* Stay in a safe place away from the street while waiting for the bus.
* Stand at least 5 giant steps (10 feet) away from the edge of the road.
* Wait until the bus stops, the door opens and the driver says it is okay before
moving toward the bus.
* Be alert to traffic. When getting on or off the bus, your child should look left, right and left again before entering or crossing the street.
* If your child's school bus has lap/shoulder seat belts, make sure your child uses one at all times when in the bus.
* Wait for the bus to stop before approaching it from the curb.
* Do not move around on the bus.
* Make sure to always remain in clear view of the bus driver.
* Children should always board and exit the bus at locations that provide safe access to the bus or to the school building.
Walking to School
Returning to school is a time when parents, caregivers, teachers and child safety advocates need to focus on teaching children how to safely cross the street. Pedestrian injuries are the third leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages five to 14. In 2006, nearly 800 children ages 14 and under died from pedestrian injuries, and in 2007 an estimated 27,000 children ages 14 and under suffered motor vehicle-related pedestrian injuries.
Here are some safety tips for parents and caregivers:
* Never allow children under age 10 to cross streets alone. Children need to be old enough to develop the skills to cross streets safely.
* Instruct children to look left, right and left again when crossing streets and to continue looking as they cross.
* Make sure children do not run into streets or dart from between parked cars.
* Require children to wear retro-reflective materials and carry a flashlight at dawn, at dusk and in bad weather.
* Make sure your child's walk to a school is a safe route with well-trained adult
* If your child is young or is walking to a new school, walk with them the first week to make sure they know the route and can do it safely.
* Bright colored clothing will make your child more visible to drivers.
"Back to school is a really busy time and safety should be the number one priority for parents," said Marie Crew, Alabama Safe Kids Coordinator. "Parents should start talking to their children and teaching safety tips long before the first day of school. Children will be traveling to school by various modes of transportation. Each mode comes with different safety issues. Parents need to educate themselves of the risks and how they can help their children stay safe."
For more information on this and other children's health and safety issues, visit our website at www.chsys.org
