Back to School Safety Tips for a Great Start to the School Year

By Kara Seymour (Patch Staff)

August is Back to School Safety Mont and the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) is helping by giving parents the facts they need to keep their kids safe. This includes pedestrian safety, bicycle safety and school bus safety.

Here are some basic tips to share with family and friends:

Pedestrian Safety
Teach kids to always look left, right, and then left again before crossing a street. Keep to a sidewalk and crosswalk to be visible to drivers. Have your child walk with an adult or with a group of children whenever possible.

Bicycle Safety
Make certain the helmet and the bike are the right fit. Before every ride, check the ABCs of bike safety: Air, Brakes, Chain. When crossing the street with a bike, have your child walk the bike across when it is safe to do so.

School Bus Safety
The greatest danger involving school buses isn’t riding a bus: it’s the school bus stop. Make certain there’s six feet (three big steps) between your child and the curb. Teach your child about the “danger zone” – 10 feet in front of, behind, and on each side of the bus.

Kids can learn before they set foot in school this fall, and these resources can teach them basic safety tips to keep them safe every day. No matter whether they’re walking, biking, or riding to school, now’s a great time to talk to kids about all three and give them the best safety practices they need to know.

Forward this on to your followers/readers and encourage anyone interested in vehicle and child safety to join the NHTSA conversation on Facebook.

Information courtesy of the National Highway Traffic Safety Association