As September approaches, so does the beginning of a new school year. To ensure that you and your children have a safe injury-free school year, it is important to prepare accordingly. The school year arrives with a significant amount of pedestrian, automotive, and cyclist traffic. Several safety organizations have created checklist items for parents, children, and citizens sharing the road to prepare for the new school year.

• Clothing and School Supply Safety. Parents generally start preparing their children for the new school year by buying school supplies requested by teachers and new clothes that will fit properly after a summer of growth spirts. Protection 1 security solutions suggests taking the following precautions:
  1. To prevent injury, backpacks should have wide straps, padding in the back and shoulders, and should not weigh more than 10 to 15 percent of a child’s body weight.
  2. When placing items in a backpack, place the heavier items in first. The closer the heavier items are to a child’s back, the less strain it will cause.
  3. Children should use both backpack straps and all compartments for even distribution of weight.
  4. Remove drawstrings from jackets, sweatshirts, and hooded shirts to reduce the risk of strangulation injuries.
  5. Art supplies in the classroom should always be child safe and non-toxic. Be sure they have “CONFORMS TO ASTM D-4236” on their packaging.
  6. Make sure your child’s school is up-to-date on the latest recalled children’s products and toys.
• School Bus Safety. The American Red Cross recommends children who ride a bus plan arrive at their bus stop early and stand away from the curb while waiting for the bus to arrive. Nationwide Children’s Hospital proposes using these additional tips as well:
  1. Do not run into the street.
  2. Wait until the bus has come to a complete stop before walking toward it.
  3. If crossing the street, wait for a signal from the bus driver. Look both ways to make sure there is no moving traffic from either direction.
  4. Always cross in front of the bus so the driver can see you.
  5. If the bus has lap and shoulder belts, use them.
  6. Once the bus is in motion, remain in your seat.
  7. If the window is open, keep your arms and head inside the bus at all times.
  8. Do not stand up to get off the bus until it has completely stopped.
  9. Only get off the bus at your assigned spot.
• Sharing the Road and Arriving to School Safely. The National Safety Council has created a list of reminders to ensure a secure arrival.
  1. Sharing the Road with Pedestrians. When sharing the road with pedestrians, don’t block the crosswalk when stopped at a red light or waiting to make a turn, forcing pedestrians to go around you; this could put them in the path of moving traffic. In a school zone when flashers are blinking, stop and yield to pedestrians crossing the crosswalk or intersection. Always stop for a school patrol officer or crossing guard holding up a stop sign. Take extra care to look out for children in school zones, near playgrounds and parks, and in all residential areas. Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians, and always use extreme caution to avoid striking pedestrians wherever they may be, no matter who has the right of way. Nationwide Children’s Hospital adds: children should only walk to school alone if they are old enough and ready to make the walk safely; children are not ready to walk to school without an adult until they are at least 10 years old; plan and practice a safe walking route with your child until he/she knows it well; use streets with sidewalks, crosswalks and crossing guards; and talk to your child about what to do if they are approached by a stranger.
  2. Sharing the Road with Bicyclists. On most roads, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as vehicles, but bikes can be hard to see. Children riding bikes create special problems for drivers because usually they are not able to properly determine traffic conditions. The most common cause of collision is a driver turning left in front of a bicyclist. When passing a bicyclist, proceed in the same direction slowly, and leave 3 feet between your car and the cyclist. When turning left and a bicyclist is approaching in the opposite direction, wait for the rider to pass. If you’re turning right and a bicyclists is approaching from behind on the right, let the rider go through the intersection first, and always use your turn signals. Watch for bike riders turning in front of you without looking or signaling; children especially have a tendency to do this. Be extra vigilant in school zones and residential neighborhoods. Watch for bikes coming from driveways or behind parked cars. Check side mirrors before opening your door.
  3. Safe Driving. Drivers should be aware of children walking to school or to the bus stop. When backing out of the driveway, watch for children walking to school or to a bus stop. On streets without crossing guards, watch out for children trying to cross the street. Be careful on streets without sidewalks or streets with on-street parking. It might be hard to notice a child behind a car. Be alert. Children may dart into the street without looking.

For an additional reminder, you can print out The National Safety Council’s Back to School Safety Checklist here, and review these tips with your loved ones.

Sources:

• http://www.protection1.com/resources/back-to-school-safety/
• http://www.redcross.org/news/article/Keep-it-Safe-When-You-Head-Back-to-School
• http://www.nationwidechildrens.org/find-a-doctor-service-condition
• http://www.nsc.org/learn/safety-knowledge/Pages/back-to-school-safety-tips-for-drivers.aspx
• http://www.nsc.org/NSCDocuments_Advocacy/Fact%20Sheets/Back-to-School-Checklist.pdf