Many children live close enough to their school that they can walk or ride a bike. Others may use a bus for transportation, but they may spend time standing at a bus stop or crossing the street. While this may be an everyday part of their lives, there are some important safety tips that you should remind your kids about so that they remain safe and healthy.
Use Crosswalks When Possible
Many streets have crosswalks for pedestrians to use, and this is especially true in areas close to schools. It may be easy for kids to dart across the street or a parking lot near the school haphazardly, but these are areas where drivers may not be looking for pedestrians. Encourage your kids to use crosswalks when possible and to watch for oncoming traffic at all times.
Walk on Sidewalks When Available
Some kids have a tendency to walk along the side of the road, but this can increase the likelihood of getting struck by a car. Others may run across the middle of the street rather than pausing to look both ways or to use a street corner to cross the road. Talk to kids about the importance of using sidewalks when available and taking caution to get back on the sidewalk as quickly as possible after crossing the street.
Avoid Talking to Strangers
Whether a child is standing at a bus stop or walking to school, there may be several minutes or longer when he or she is alone. These are prime times when a stranger could approach your child. Children should remain vigilant when alone outdoors, including when traveling to and from school. Remind your kids of the importance of stranger danger periodically.
Pay Attention to the Environment
Even kids who are walking on the sidewalk to the bus stop or to school can fall into danger simply through their lack of attention to their environment. For example, some drivers may be distracted, and they may drive up onto a sidewalk by mistake. Others may be pulling out of their driveway quickly and may fail to see a child behind them. Encourage your child to remain vigilant to the environment for safety. If they get a crosswalk injury, be sure to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. It’s likely you can get compensation for any injuries sustained in a crosswalk, and it can help bring awareness to a problem area near their school.
Stay With Friends
There will always be instances when a child may be alone outdoors, but when possible, children should stay with friends at a bus stop or while walking to school. This may deter strangers from approaching them. In addition, one child may observe a dangerous situation that others in the group do not notice, such as a car backing out of a driveway. There is safety in numbers.
Follow the Bus Driver’s Instructions
If your child travels to school on a bus, remind the child that the bus driver is responsible for his or her safety for that period of time each day. The driver needs to remain focused on the road and helping to direct other children across the street. Children on the bus should remain quiet and seated. Children entering or exiting the bus should pay attention to a driver’s instructions when crossing the street.
Most children will be able to get to and from with little concern each day, but there are times when issues arise. By reviewing these points with your child, you can help to keep him or her safe even when you are not present.
