The American Red Cross of Georgia offers 10 tips to keep Children Safe as they go Back-to-School
With many children across the state returning to classrooms after summer break, the American Red Cross of Georgia wants to make sure your student is safe as they head back to school for the upcoming year.
The Red Cross offers these steps to help make the trip back to the classroom a safe one.
- Teach Young Children Important Personal Information
Make sure younger students know their phone number, home address, how to contact their parents at work, another trusted adult they can call, and how to dial 911 in an emergency.
2. Remind Kids Not to Talk to Strangers
Teach children never to accept rides, gifts or invitations from someone they don’t know.
- Walk on the Sidewalk Whenever Possible
If there’s no sidewalk available, children should walk facing traffic so they can see approaching vehicles.
- Walking to School? Look Both Ways Before Crossing
Kids should stop at every street corner and look left, right and left again before crossing. Encourage students to cross only at corners, obey crossing signals and stay within marked crosswalks. Children should avoid running into traffic or crossing between parked cars where drivers may not see them.
- Does Your Student Ride a Bus? Arrive at the Bus Stop Early
Students should get to the bus stop early and wait a safe distance from the curb. Teach kids to wait until the bus comes to a complete stop and only board when instructed by the driver or attendant. Children should stay where the driver can see them and never walk behind the bus.
- Always Wear a Bike Helmet
If your student bikes to school, a properly fitted helmet is one of the best ways to prevent serious injuries. Kids should ride on the right side of the road and follow the same direction as traffic.
- Buckle Up Every Time
Whether driving across town or just to school, everyone in the vehicle should wear a seat belt.
- Use the Right Car Seat or Booster Seat
Younger children should stay in a car seat or booster seat until the seat belt fits correctly — usually when they are between ages 8–12 and taller than 4 feet 9 inches. Children under 13 should ride in the back seat.
- Make Sure Teen Drivers Wear Seat Belts
Teen drivers should always buckle up before starting the car, no matter how short the trip.
- Eliminate Distracted Driving
Remind teens to avoid texting, calling, eating, or drinking while driving to school.