Back-to-School Safety: Simple Reminders for Families
The beginning of a new school year brings new routines, busy mornings, changing traffic patterns, after-school activities, and more time spent away from home. A few simple conversations before the first weeks of school can help children feel more confident and help families start the year with safety in mind.
Review How Your Child Gets to and From School
Whether a child rides the bus, walks, bikes, or is dropped off by car, take a few minutes to review the routine together.
Children who ride the school bus should know where to wait, when it is safe to approach the bus, and what to do when crossing the street. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends that children wait at least 10 feet, or about five giant steps, away from the curb and wait until the bus has completely stopped and the driver indicates that it is safe to board.
Drivers also have an important role. Yellow flashing school-bus lights mean the bus is preparing to stop, while red flashing lights and an extended stop arm mean children are getting on or off. Drivers should stop and remain stopped as required by applicable state law.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/school-bus-safety
Practice Walking and Bicycle Safety
If your child walks or rides a bicycle to school, consider practicing the route together before the school year gets busy.
Talk about using sidewalks and designated crossings when available, watching traffic carefully before entering a roadway, and avoiding distractions such as looking at a phone while walking.
Younger children may benefit from walking the route with an adult until they are comfortable with the routine and understand where they should cross.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
https://www.nhtsa.gov/pedestrian-safety
Make Sure Your Child Knows Who Their Trusted Adults Are
Back-to-school safety is not limited to traffic.
Talk with your child about which adults they can turn to if they are lost, uncomfortable, confused, or need help. Depending on the situation, that might include a teacher, school administrator, school resource officer, counselor, bus driver, coach, or another adult you have identified together.
Children should know that they can tell a trusted adult when something makes them uncomfortable, even if they are unsure whether it is important.
The goal is not to make children suspicious of everyone around them. It is to help them understand that they have people they can turn to when they need help.
Revisit Online Safety
School often means more technology: laptops, tablets, school accounts, group chats, gaming, social media, and communication with classmates.
The FBI recommends that parents maintain open, ongoing conversations about online activity. Families can review the apps, games, and websites children use, check privacy settings, discuss what information is appropriate to share, and remind children to be cautious when communicating with people they do not know in real life.
Children should also know they can come to a parent or trusted adult if someone online makes them uncomfortable, asks them to keep a conversation secret, requests personal information or images, or threatens or pressures them.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation
https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/parents-and-caregivers-protecting-your-kids
Update Your Family Emergency Information
The start of a new school year is also a good time to review basic emergency information.
Make sure your child knows:
Their full name and home address when age appropriate
How to reach a parent or caregiver
At least one backup emergency contact
Where the family would meet if normal plans suddenly changed
How and when to call 911
What to do if they cannot reach you right away
FEMA encourages families to involve children in emergency planning, establish family communication plans, identify meeting places, and make sure children know how to contact important people during an emergency.
Also make sure the school has current phone numbers, emergency contacts, medical information, and the correct list of people authorized to pick up your child.
Source: FEMA Ready.gov
https://www.ready.gov/kids
Keep the Conversation Going
Children do not need to memorize every possible situation before the first day of school. A few short conversations throughout the year are often more useful than one long safety lecture.
Ask questions about their routine. Listen when something feels different. Review expectations as children become more independent or begin using new technology.
Back-to-school safety is ultimately about helping children know what to do, who they can turn to, and that they can always speak up when they need help.
General Information Disclaimer
This article provides general educational information and is not a substitute for guidance from your child’s school, local public-safety agencies, or other qualified professionals. Families should follow applicable school policies and local laws.