An article I read recently said that an estimated 2.2 million children under the age of 14 are injured in school-related accidents each year. Accidents while on the way to school, on the way home from school and while playing at school can be avoided much like other disasters; by simply making a plan.
With schools starting across the country
-Plan a walking route to school or to the bus stop. Make sure you have a direct route with the least amount of crossings your children will have to encounter. If you are in a rural area, make sure weeds and plants are trimmed from the end of the driveway so your child will be more than visible while waiting for the bus.
-Walk the route with your children and make sure you teach them to stay away from areas where they will be alone and unprotected such as parks, vacant lots, etc.
-Set rules for accepting rides NOW. As my children get older, the number of rides available increases. Make sure your children know not to take rides from strangers and not to take rides from under age drivers you are not sure about.
-Teach your kids to obey traffic laws and rules.
-Don’t forget that bad weather can become a part of your child’s travel to school and teach them the severe weather safety rules.
-Make sure if your child is riding his/her bike to school that they wear a helmet!
-Be sure that your child knows his or her home phone number and address, your work number, the number of another trusted adult and how to call 911 for emergencies.
-Check the playground equipment at your child’s school. Look for hazards such as rusted or broken equipment and dangerous surfaces. Report any hazards to the school.
-Make sure you are familiar with the school’s disaster and safety plans.
As the school year starts, traffic increases, daylight changes and the number of children on the roads increases. Make sure that this year’s back-to-school time is one of excitement and learning and tragedy.
