Red Cross Offers Back to School Safety Steps As Families Prepare for New School Year – Thousand Oaks Local News, Oxnard Local News, Simi Valley Local News, Ventura County Local News

American Red Cross. Courtesy of American Red Cross

(WASHINGTON, DC) Summer vacation for students around the country is drawing to a close as the nation’s schools prepare to open their doors for the new school year. So, while moms and dads make that list of school supplies the kids will need, families are wise to take a look at these safety steps from the American Red Cross to make a student’s trip back to the classroom as safe as possible.

Parents preparing younger kids and those going to school for the first time are wise to put a plan in place to ensure:

The child knows their phone number, address, how to get in touch with their parents at work, how to get in touch with another trusted adult and how to dial 9-1-1.
Children are aware that they should not to talk to strangers or accept rides from someone they don’t know.

Planning conversations over multiple days prior to school can help remind kids. Playing fun games to reinforce important lessons can help them adhere to the sound advice.

SCHOOL BUS SAFETY

Kids are excited to ride the bus with their friends and to enjoy the ride on this larger vehicle. Moms and dad can remind young children of the following:

Get to the bus stop early and stand away from the curb while waiting for the bus to arrive.
Only board the bus after it has come to a complete stop and the driver or attendant has instructed you to get on.
Remember to only board your bus, never an alternate one.
Always stay in clear view of the bus driver and never walk behind the bus.
Cross the street at the corner, obeying traffic signals and staying in the crosswalk.
Never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.

GETTING TO SCHOOL BY CAR, BIKE, ON FOOT

As children gain their independence and evolve in their responsibility, safety can be harder to manage. Remember that safety starts with mom and dad and can be reinforced in repetition.

If children ride in a car to get to school, they should always wear a seat belt. Younger children should use car seats or booster seats until the lap-shoulder belt fits properly (typically for children ages 8-12 and over 4’9″), and ride in the back seat until they are at least 13 years old. To be sure of proper installation, visit your local California Highway Patrol and ask for help or find a local community resource fair.
If a teenager is going to drive to school, parents should mandate that they use seat belts. Drivers should not use their cell phone to text or make calls, and should avoid eating or drinking while driving.
Some students ride their bike to school. They should always wear a helmet and ride on the right in the same direction as the traffic is going.
When children are walking to school, they should only cross the street at an intersection, and use a route along which the school has placed crossing guards. Parents should walk young children to school, along with children taking new routes or attending new schools, at least for the first week to ensure they know how to get there safely. Arrange for the kids to walk to school with a friend or classmate.

DRIVERS, SLOW DOWN!

Drivers should be aware that children are out walking or biking to school and slow down, especially in residential areas and school zones.

Motorists should know what the yellow and red bus signals mean. Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is getting ready to stop and motorists should slow down and be prepared to stop. Red flashing lights and an extended stop sign indicate the bus is stopped and children are getting on or off. Drivers in both directions must stop their vehicles and wait until the lights go off, the stop sign is back in place and the bus is moving before they can start driving again.

PREPARE FOR EMERGENCIES AND TAKE A FIRST AID CLASS

Creating an emergency plan at both home and school can help reduce anxiety during crisis. Know what the emergency plan is at your child’s school in case a disaster or an unforeseen event occurs. Develop a family emergency plan so everyone will know who to contact and where to go if something happens while children are at school and parents are at work.

Details are available at redcross.org/prepare. The Red Cross First Aid App provides instant access to information on handling the most common first aid emergencies whether it be before, during or after school. Download the app for free by searching for ‘American Red Cross’ in your app store or at redcross.org/apps. Learn and practice First Aid and CPR/AED skills by taking a course (redcross.org/takeaclass) so you can help save a life.

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