After months of at-home learning, many kids are returning to school this fall. And while the typical back-to-school safety tips are always encouraged to follow, this year it's especially important to review.
Following an unprecedented time of isolation, kids are likely to forget even the most basic safety measures (like looking both ways before crossing the street). So to help your kids prepare for the new school year, we've outlined some key back-to-school safety tips:
- Don't text while walking
- Wear a helmet when biking
- Stand back from the curb while waiting for the bus
- Don't accept rides from strangers
- Make sure that emergency contact information is up to date
- Have a specific route to and from school
- Be sure your child travels with friends whenever possible
- Know the school's emergency procedures
- Install a home security system
- Talk to your children about what to do if they feel afraid or unsure in any situation
By following these simple tips, we can keep our community safe for everyone.
Ackerman Security is Atlanta's most trusted home security company. To keep your family safeguarded against home invasions, robberies, and more, give us a call at 800.552.1111 or schedule a free instant security quote online today.
Don't text while walking
We all know that texting while driving is dangerous, but texting while walking can present equally harmful consequences. And with more kids than ever having devices like phones or tablets, it's important to remind them about safe usage.
For example, when distracted by their phone on the walk to or from school, a child could:
- Trip and twist their ankle
- Not see that a crosswalk has stopped and accidentally step into traffic
- Bump into something or someone and cause hurt to both parties
- And more
While it may not seem like a big deal, texting while walking reduces focus on your surroundings, and that's exactly what kids need to be reminded to do.
To travel safely to and from school, remind your kids to keep their eyes on the sidewalk in front of them. If they need to respond to a text, they should stop and step aside before resuming their walk.
Wear a helmet when biking
According to Johns Hopkins research, "head trauma is the most common injury in accidents involving bikes." For this reason (and many others), it's critical that your child wears a helmet when riding their bike, especially to and from school.
Middle school children and up frequently ride bikes to school if their home is located nearby. Unfortunately, some kids fall victim to peer pressure that helmets don't look "cool," so they don't end up wearing them.
This is dangerous and potentially life-threatening. Make sure your kid understands that helmets save lives. Also make sure that your child's helmet is properly sized and fits snugly.
For added fun, you might let them pick out their own, or provide stickers for them to customize. And when their helmet is unique, it's also less likely that another child will take it by mistake.
Stand back from the curb while waiting for the bus
If your child is riding the bus to and from school, make sure they stand back at least six feet from the curb. This way the school bus can safely stop and allow children to board.
Although it may seem self-explanatory, some kids aren't paying attention. Either because they're distracted by their phone or they're playing a game with their friends. When this happens, they run the risk of accidentally stepping out into the street and being hit by a car.
In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, "the greatest risk to your child is not riding a bus, but approaching or leaving one."
To protect your child from harm and ensure they arrive safely to school, make sure they follow bus safety rules.
Don't accept rides from strangers
Children are often taught not to talk to strangers, but it's important to remind them to never accept rides from strangers either.
This is particularly true for kids who walk to school. Even if someone appears like they need help, tell your child to say, "I'm sorry, I'm not allowed to talk to strangers," and then walk straight home.
Make sure that emergency contact information is up to date
It's important that your child's emergency contact information is up to date with your school's administrative office.
Since it may have been quite some time since your child last went to school, your phone or contact information may have been updated. In the event of an emergency, your child's school will need to get a hold of you.
Additionally, it pays to get to know other parents at your child's school. This way if an emergency happens and you're unable to get to the school, you have another trusted contact to rely on for help.
Have a specific route to and from school
Teach your children to follow a primary route to and from school, whether they're traveling by bus, car, or walking home with friends. Knowing this route is important so you always know where they should be on their way to and from school.
Most parents also find that it's useful to set an alternate travel path as a backup. This route can be used when primary ways home are blocked by construction or accidents, or when your child identifies another hazard that makes the primary route home unsafe.
Be sure your child travels with friends whenever possible
Whether loitering outside school or walking home, encourage your children always to have someone by their side. Research has noted that pedestrian injury rates among children have actually increased by recent years, so it helps to have as many eyes as possible looking for traffic and other potential hazards.1 Plus, a group of children is much less likely to be targeted by predators than individual children walking alone.
"As an adult, I know the safety of staying with a group," says Charly Morgan, on-air personality on B98.5 and spokesperson for Ackerman Security. "It's even more important for kids' safety. Groups of children are also much less likely to be targeted by predators than individual children walking alone," "Always encourage kids to practice the buddy system, ideally with other kids who live in their neighborhood."
Know the school's emergency procedures
Whether it's tornadoes, fire drills, school lockdowns or other emergency scenarios, parents need to know exactly what will happen to their children. Knowing these school procedures will help you respond faster and connect with your children sooner during an emergency situation. Or, if you're unable to reach your child, you can at least know that the school and students have protocols in place to keep them as safe as possible.
Make sure that your child also understands these emergency procedures at school.
Install a home security system
If you're still at work when your children return home from school, a security system is the best way to keep them safe and sound while you're away. Kids can use these systems to enter securely and be protected while you are away and if anyone attempts to enter the home.
"Some of these systems also let parents track the comings and goings of their children so that they know when they get home every day," says Morgan. "I know I'll be using my security system when my daughter is older. Other parents I know say their security system gives them the peace-of-mind that comes with knowing their home is secured and their children are safe."
Talk to your children about what to do if they feel afraid or unsure in any situation
Unfortunately, parents can't be watching over their children at all times. But what they can do to help protect their kids is teach them to handle alarming situations. Whether it's the lurking presence of a stranger following them home, unsafe teen drivers or bullies trying to give them trouble, your kids need to be prepared. Talk to your kids about what to do and where to find help. Strategies such as calling for help on their cellphone, staying at school and waiting for a ride home or asking for help from a trusted teacher or adult, can help your child avoid dangerous situations.
For parents concerned about the safety of their children, a little preparation goes a long way. Talk to your kids about the potential dangers waiting in the world, and work with them to ensure they have a safe, trouble-free experience going to school.
Ackerman Security is here to protect what matters most.
For more than 50 years, Ackerman Security has helped to protect Atlanta homeowners from home invasions, robberies, and more. To learn about how you can install the safest and most advanced home security system on the market, call our experts at 800.552.1111. You can also schedule a free instant security quote online today.