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Safely Getting To School

 

According to SafeKids.org, preventable injuries are the #1 killer of kids in the U.S. and unintentional pedestrian injuries are the fifth leading cause of injury-related death for children 5-19.  The following are safety tips for students getting to school. Visit www.safekids.org for more information.

 

Walking to School:

  1. Teach children at an early age to look left, right and left again before crossing the street
  2. Teach children to put away devices and headphones when crossing the street so they are focused on their surroundings.
  3. Teach children how to read and use crosswalk signs.
  4. Children under 10 should always cross the street with an adult.  It is often difficult for children to gauge the speed of oncoming traffic.  
  5. Parents - be a good role model.  Demonstrate these safety tips by pointing out potential walking hazards, put down your devices while walking, and help your child identify proper crosswalk procedures.

 

Riding the Bus:

  1. Walk with your kids to the bus stop and wait with them unit the bus arrives.  
  2. Teach children to wait for the bus to completely stop at least three giant steps from the curb.
  3. Teach children to use the handrails when boarding or exiting the bus to avoid falls.
  4. Watch for traffic around the bus and do not assume that other drivers are observing proper rules of the road.

 

Riding Bicycles:

  1. Check with your school Principal for rules regarding bicycles for that specific school.  The Principal can make suggestions for safely navigating school grounds.
  2. Teach children to wear a helmet!  The Illinois Bicycle Rules of the Road lists the use of a proper helmet as its highest concern for safety.
  3. Teach children to obey the rules of the road.  It is not safe to assume that drivers are watching out for children on bikes.  
  4. Teach children the safest route to get to school, that includes sidewalks and clearly marked crossings.
  5. Practice the safest routes with your children until you feel confident they can navigate the route on their own.