Garrison Safety wants you and your child to be safe. Use these tips to get to school safely!
Traveling to and from school
Walking to school
Make sure your child’s walk to a school is a safe route with well-trained adult crossing guards at every intersection. Be realistic about your child’s pedestrian skills. Small children are impulsive and less cautious around traffic; carefully consider whether or not your child is ready to walk to school without adult supervision. If your children are young or are walking to a new school, walk with them the first week or until you are sure they know the route and can do it safely. Bright colored clothing will make your child more visible to drivers. Visually check for traffic in all directions before crossing any street or intersection.
Bicycles
Always wear a bicycle helmet. Ride on the right, in the same direction as auto traffic. Use appropriate hand signals. Respect traffic lights and stop signs. Wear bright colored clothing. Always walk your bike across intersections. Visually check for traffic in all directions before crossing the street.
School bus
If your child’s school bus has lap/shoulder seat belts, make sure your child uses it. Wait for the bus to stop before approaching it from the curb. 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.
Car
All passengers should wear a seat belt and/or an age- and size-appropriate car safety seat or booster seat. All children younger than 13 years of age should ride in the rear seat of vehicles.
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 10 to 20 percent of your child’s body weight. Always use both shoulder straps. Slinging a backpack over one shoulder can strain muscles. If your school allows, consider a rolling backpack.
(Information for this article came from www.safekids.org)
