Back to School

Back to School Safety Tips

The start of school is quickly approaching. Along with getting the kids school supplies and clothes, it’s also time to review some of the basic safety items with the kids. Even some of us parents sometimes need a little reminder every once in a while. These safety tips will help to make sure that everybody has an enjoyable, safe school year.

General Safety Tips:

· Teach your child to never talk to, accept rides from, or accept gifts from strangers. Teach them who they should feel comfortable with (i.e. school staff etc.) and could go to if a stranger does try to make contact with them. There is always a possibility that a true stranger is in need of help, but your child should get another trusted adult (or trusted authority) involved, and under no circumstances should they accept a ride from a stranger to go to the trusted adult. If your school sends a letter advising of someone that they are concerned about, make sure to discuss this with your child to make them aware of the situation.

· Make sure that your child knows your phone numbers, and the phone numbers of people that they should get a hold of in case they can’t get through to you.

Getting to and from School:

· If your child is starting a new school make sure that you go with them to where the bus will pick up and drop off before hand. if possible go with them the first few days, and be there when the bus drops off after school until they feel comfortable, and you feel comfortable, with their ability to get to and from the bus stop on their own.

o You also need to make sure that they understand not to play around at the bus stop and that they need to stay out of the street while waiting.

o Teach them to cross the street at marked cross-walks, and if there are no cross-walks, show them safe places to cross the street, and to make sure that they are looking both ways before entering the street or crosswalk.

· The above also applies to younger children that are attending the same school but may need a refresher.

· If your child walks, or rides their bike, to school, find a safe route, and walk it/ride it with them before the first day of school, so that they are comfortable with it. Establish a well-traveled direct route, with the least amount of street crossings as possible, or if they have to cross the street, find where they can do it at a crosswalk where the school will have Crossing Guards in place. If possible, walk it/ride it with your child for the first day, or even the first week. Just make sure that they don’t take short cuts or other paths where there aren’t many people around. There is safety in numbers.

o Again, make sure that they understand, and obey, the rules about not running out into the street, and where it is safe to cross the street.

o Encourage them to walk with a sibling, relative, friends and their parents, or a group of friends with a safe, regular, meeting place so they can walk together as a group.

o Make sure that you are a good role model by following the rules yourself.

· If your child is riding their bike, teach them to always ride their helmets, and encourage them to wear bright clothing to make them more visible to drivers.

o Know the “Rules of the Road” http://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/pages/B...

o Do not let your child ride at night

· Establish rules for them if they are going to participate in after school activities which would cause them to have to get home by themselves. If you can’t get there to pick them up on time after their activity, see if other arrangements can be made with the school, a neighbor or friend, until you can get there.

· If your child normally rides a van to and from a Child Care Facility, make sure that your Child Care provider is well aware of any schedule changes with your child and that they are communicated effectively.

After Getting Home and Being Alone:

· The State of Colorado does not set a specific age for a child to be home by themselves, however they have a recommended guideline that the child should be at least 12 years of age.

· Make sure that you have important contact numbers posted at home, near a phone, so they have easy access to them. Also, go over the order of who they should call first, second, and so on, in an emergency.

· Teach your child what to do in case of any emergency (i.e. smoke alarms go off), and have escape plans practiced. You should have at least a primary and secondary route planned and rehearsed.

· Have your child check in with you immediately after getting home from school.

o Make your child comfortable with this and ensure them that you are just making sure that they are safe.

o If you are not available, have another way available for them to check in that you are comfortable with (friend, neighbor etc.)

· Teach your child to NEVER answer the door when they are home alone. If they are expecting a relative etc. to come over, make sure that they have a way to check who is at the door before they open it.

* It's also good for them not to answer the phone if a number comes up on the caller ID that they don't recognize.

· Your child should NEVER tell anybody on the phone, or at the door, that they are home alone.

· Establish rules ahead of time for your child having friends over, and make sure that their friends parents are aware that you will not be home.

· Have rules in place regarding locking windows and doors, so that they remain safe while they are in the house.

The biggest thing is to make sure that they are taught, and follow, these basic safety tips, and that they understand that as parents we aren’t just doing it to be nit-picky, but doing it to make sure that they are staying healthy and safe.

Dan Gillespie
Wave Financial Partners
303-656-6912