Safety Tips: Children Going to School

• All passengers should always wear a seat belt. For children, ensure they are properly secured—that means older kids are in seatbelts, younger ones are in booster seats, and toddlers are in child safety seats
• Make sure booster and child safety seats are correctly installed
• Children under 13 should always ride in the back seat for maximum protection
• Teen drivers face a higher risk of accidents, particularly during school commutes. Consider limiting the number of passengers when your teen is driving to minimize distractions. Learn more safety tips to share with teen drivers 
• Do not drive off the moment your children get out of the car. Wait to see that they reach a safe spot before you go
• Stay focused behind the wheel. Avoid distractions such as eating, drinking or using a phone while driving

• Most school bus-related injuries occur while boarding or exiting the bus. Teach children to stay alert and follow safety rules
• Choose a designated, safe waiting area for children away from traffic
• Teach children to wait until the bus has come to a complete stop, and the driver signals before they board the bus
• Encourage children to use handrails when getting on or off the bus
• While drivers are supposed to stop for school buses, some don’t. Teach children to always check for moving vehicles by looking both ways before crossing a street

• Pick the safest route, not necessarily the shortest. Consider a route with sidewalks, crosswalks, crossing guards and well-lit areas
• Walk the route with your child before school starts. Identify potential hazards like busy intersections, lack of sidewalks or unsafe areas
• Children should use the same route every day and never take shortcuts
• Teach children to stay aware of their surroundings by avoiding using headphones or texting while walking
• Teach children always to look both ways and make eye contact with drivers before they cross the street
• Walking in pairs or groups increases safety. Encourage walking with a buddy
• Bright clothing and reflective backpacks help increase visibility, especially on darker mornings
• Teach children about stranger danger and reinforce the rule – never get into a vehicle or go anywhere with someone without parental permission, even if you know them

• Children should always wear a bicycle helmet, no matter how short or long the ride is. Bike helmets can reduce the risk of head injury by up to 85 percent
• Stick to the same bike route every day and avoid shortcuts. Ride in the same direction as traffic and obey all traffic signals. Never cross the street against a light, even if there is no visible traffic
• Never cross an intersection on a bike. Instead, walk the bike across using crosswalks
• Like walking, distractions such as wearing headphones and texting should be avoided
• Bright-colored clothing and reflective gear help make cyclists more visible

Safety doesn’t stop at school drop-off. Having a plan for children is important if they’ll be home alone after school. Be sure to establish clear safety rules, such as:

• Checking in with a parent or guardian upon arrival
• Doors should remain locked, and no outdoor play until an adult is home
• Never open the door to strangers. Create a list of trusted individuals allowed to enter the home
• Post emergency numbers in a visible location or save them on their mobile devices

Children are more likely to be threatened by common household dangers, such as cooking fires and falls, than anything else. Evaluate your home for potential hazards based on your child’s maturity level and establish rules accordingly.

By teaching children these safety habits, they can become more aware, responsible and confident in protecting themselves on their way to and from school.