Back to School – Safety Checklist
Summer vacation is winding down and the new school year is starting any day. Public schools and colleges in our area are all returning this week and next. That means there will be more traffic that can cause congestion, frayed nerves, and accidents.
Vargo Law would like to share some important tips to remember to keep everyone safe during this busy time. These are recommendations directly from the National Safety Council.
Whether students walk, ride the bus, ride their bicycles, or are driven to school there are different tips to make sure they all arrive safely at school:
Walkers
✓ Review your family’s walking safety rules and practice walking to school with your child before school starts.
✓ Walk on the sidewalk, if one is available; when on a street with no sidewalk, walk facing the traffic.
✓ Before you cross the street, stop and look left, right, and left again to see if cars are coming.
✓ Make eye contact with drivers before crossing and always cross streets at crosswalks or intersections.
✓ Stay alert and avoid distracted walking.
Bus Riders
✓ Teach your children school bus safety rules and practice with them.
✓ Go to the bus stop with your child to teach them the proper way to get on and off the bus.
✓ Teach your children to stand 6 feet (or three giant steps) away from the curb.
✓ If your child must cross the street in front of the bus, teach him or her to walk on the side of the road until they are 10 feet ahead of the bus – your child and the bus driver should always be able to see each other.
Bike Riders
✓ Teach your child the rules of the road and practice riding the bike route to school with your child.
✓ Ride on the right side of the road, with traffic, and in a single file.
✓ Come to a complete stop before crossing the street; walk bikes across the street.
✓ Stay alert and avoid distracted riding.
✓ Make sure your child always wears a properly fitted helmet and bright clothing.
Driving Your Child to School
✓ Stay alert and avoid distracted driving.
✓ Obey school zone speed limits and follow your school’s drop-off procedure.
✓ Make eye contact with children who are crossing the street.
✓ Never pass a bus loading or unloading children.
✓ The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children – stop far enough back to allow them to safely enter and exit the bus.
Teen Drivers
✓ Car crashes are the No. 1 cause of injury for teens. Fortunately, there is something we can do.
✓ Teens crash because they are inexperienced; practice with new drivers every week, before and after they get their license.
✓ Set a good example; drive the way you want your teen to drive.
✓ Sign the New Driver Deal, an agreement that helps define expectations for parents and teens.
Vargo Law wishes all families a safe and productive new school year. Thank you to the teachers, support staff and parents who keep our educational system running smoothly. If you do find yourself or family member a victim of injury or negligence, please call us for help at 413-781-3000 or vargolawoffice.com.
