RSSSafe Kids -- Make sure your kids get to school safely
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Whether you're a parent jumping enthusiastically for joy, or a kid moaning and groaning, there's no getting around the fact that school is just around the corner. And as schools across the country kick into full swing, children will be filling the streets, sidewalks and parking lots as they get themselves to and from school.
When I was a kid, I had to walk ... uphill ... both ways, for most of my youth. And it snowed most days, too! Whether your student will be traveling by bus, car, bike or under foot power, there are numerous things to keep in mind to make sure each trip is a safe one.
School bus safety
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), school buses are nearly eight times safer than passenger vehicles. But children must take care when boarding or leaving a bus. While an average of seven school-aged passengers die in school bus crashes each year, 19 die getting on and off the bus. NHTSA offers these safety tips to teach your children to make sure they stay safe while in and around the school bus.
* Make sure your children arrive at the bus stop on time and that they wait far away from the road.
* Avoid any sort of rough play while waiting.
* Make sure children do not have any loose drawstrings or long straps, which can get caught in handrails or bus doors.
* When getting on and off the bus, children should stay out of the "Danger Zone" (the area around the bus (10 feet) where the bus driver can't see children.
* Teach children to ask the driver for help if he/she drops something near the bus.
* Children should look before stepping off the bus to be sure no cars are passing on the shoulder.
* Before heading up or down the street, children should take five giant steps away from the bus toward the curb or shoulder
* Before crossing the street in front of the bus, children should take five giant steps ahead of the bus or walk until the driver's face can be seen. Children should then wait for the driver to signal that it is safe to cross.
* Children should look left-right-left when coming to the edge of the bus to make sure traffic is stopped, then keep watching traffic as they cross.
Riding to school in a car safely
For those of you who transport children to school in your own personal vehicles, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reminds parents and caregivers that every child should always use a seat belt and/or an age- and size-appropriate car safety seat or booster seat. Make it a habit to ask if they're buckled in before heading off. For children younger than 13 years, the backseat is the best and safest place to ride.
If you have any questions regarding the use of child restraints, seat belts and keeping kids safe while driving, call Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital's Community Education Department at 388-8846 to schedule an appointment with a child passenger safety technician.
On their own
For children old enough to get to and from school on their own, whether it is biking or walking, Brianne Baron, coordinator of Safe Kids Yakima County, suggests parents should teach children to take the same route each day.
"They should not take any short cuts," Baron says. "If possible they should also walk or ride to school with a friend. It is also a great idea to walk the route with them before school starts so they can become familiar with the area."
Bike safety
If your child will be riding a bike to school, Safe Kids Worldwide has some additional safety tips to make sure each ride is a safe one.
*Your child should always wear a properly fitted bike helmet. The helmet should fit comfortably and snug. It should sit centered on top of the head in a level position, and it should not rock forward and backward or side to side. The straps must be buckled snugly against the chin.
* Cycling should be restricted to sidewalks and bike paths until a child is age 10. Children should be able to demonstrate riding competence and knowledge of the rules of the road before they cycle with traffic.
* Children should wear clothes and accessories that incorporate retro-reflective materials to improve visibility to motorists.
* When crossing a street, the child must stop, get off the bike, look left-right-left. When the road is clear, the child should walk the bike across the street.
Walking to school
The American Academy of Pediatrics has these safety tips for when your child walks to and from school.
* Make sure your child uses a safe route with well-trained crossing guards at every intersection.
* Be realistic about your child's pedestrian skills. Because small children are impulsive and less cautious around traffic, carefully consider whether your child is ready to walk to school without adult supervision.
* Have the child wear bright colored clothing that will make them more visible to drivers.
No matter what mode of transportation your child takes, teaching them proper safety will allow you to jump for joy -- not just because they're going back to school, but because they are going back to school safely.
* Kurt Tyrrell is the Passport to Health program Coordinator for Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital and a member of Safe Kids Yakima County. He is a Certified Health Education Specialist and a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician. His column is produced in cooperation with Safe Kids Yakima County, a local consortium of organizations, agencies and individuals actively promoting child safety.
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