Back to School Safety and awareness

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By mikespec

Back to School Safety and Awareness

Walking, Biking or Riding the Bus to School

When walking or biking to school:

Following the rules of traffic signals and /or the crossing guard;
Walk your bike through intersections;
Walk or ride with a buddy;
Wear reflective material

When riding the bus:

Wait for the bus in a safe place, away from the street;
Wait until the bus completely stops before approaching;
Walk at a safe distance from the bus and make sure the driver can see you;
Watch street traffic as they won't always see you.

Backpack Use

Backpack-related injuries in children, from overloaded backpacks are causing more injuries to be treated at hospital emergency rooms, doctor's offices and clinics.

Warning signs a backpack is too heavy:

Change in posture when wearing the backpack;
Struggling when putting on or taking off the backpack;
Pain when wearing the backpack;
Tingling or numbness;
Red marks.

Tips for safe backpack use:

Wear both straps;
Wear the backpack over the strongest mid-back muscles;
Lighten the load;
Use proper lifting techniques.

Tips for selecting a backpack:

Ergonomically designed;
Padded back;
Hip and chest belts;
Multiple compartments;
Compression straps on the sides or bottom;
Reflective material.

Back to School Safety

Young students

Pedestrian injuries are the second leading cause of unintentional death among children ages five to 14. So make sure to go over the above topics of walking, biking and bus safety with them.

High school/ Secondary students

Statistics show that teen drivers are four times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than more experienced drivers. In fact, 6,000 young people are killed each year in fatal crashes. If your children drive to school:

Teach them to always buckle-up and require everyone else in the car to buckle-up as well.
Remind them to always obey the speed limit.
Choose a safe car for teens to drive-remember large cars are safer than small ones.
Enforce no-drinking-and-driving rules.

College/ University students

The number one crime on college campuses is theft. One-out-of-every 10 college students will be robbed while away at school. Most students' belongings are covered under their parents' homeowner policies, but expensive computer equipment and other items may not be covered. Parents should check their policies to be sure and also:

Remind students to always lock dormitory doors, even if they are just going down the hall.
Tell students not to keep large amounts of money or jewelry in their rooms.
Have students mark personal property, such as book-bags and CDs, with identifiable marks.
Check auto insurance if your child takes a car to school to be sure no additional coverage is needed.

http://www.iii.org/individuals/other/safety/backtoschool/

Back to School Safety and other Issues

Back to School Safety:

School Bus Safety Rules;
Get to school Safely;
School Safety;
America goes back to School Program (Playgrounds, sports, etc).

On Your Child:

Sports Safety;
Playground and Outdoor Play Safety;
Motor Vehicle Safety;
Safety Out and About;
Personal Safety.

Back to School Nutrition:

Ten Tips for packing a healthy lunch for kids;
School lunches;
Feeding your child;
Obesity and Overweight.

Other Back to School Issues:

Tips to help young children adjust;
Back to school for kids with Special needs;
Back to school links.

http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/yourchild/bts.htm

Is your School Healthy?

PARENTS:

When to suspect an environmental problem in the school:

Your child starts most days healthy but develops headaches or nausea during the school day.
Your child comes home from school sick, tired, itchy or angry.
Your child uses more asthma medications on school days.
Your child shows new or worsening health or learning problems only on certain days or as the school heating season starts.
Your child comes home with odd odors clinging to his/her clothing.

Check out the "Guide to Green Cleaning"

http://www.healthyschools.org/documents/green_cleaning_guide.pdf

See articles on:

Indoor air quality in schools;
Pesticides in schools;
Healthy food in schools;
Safe school buses;
Wrap-up. http://www.healthyschools.org/

http://www.grinningplanet.com/2004/08-24/back-to-school-safety-article.htm

Is your Child ready to be home alone after School?

Before you leave your child at home alone after school, you should make sure that he feels safe and comfortable and can handle the responsibility. Most children are not ready to be left alone until they are at least eleven or twelve years old, but it will depend on your child's maturity level.

Read article for ways to know if your child is ready along with what to do and not to do.

http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/welcome/autumn/back_to-school.html

Back to School Resources

Preschool Panic