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Safety guidelines for parents, children

As the lazy days of summer give way to the excitement of a new school year, parents and caregivers should review important safety guidelines with children.
 
“As fall approaches and children head back to school, it’s important for parents and children to go over safety rules together,” said Amy Ethridge, SAFE KIDS Trident area coordinator. “Reviewing safety rules can help ensure a safe, enjoyable start to the school year for everyone.”
 
SAFE KIDS Trident Area, and its partners offer these  guidelines to help keep children safe this back-to-school season. 

School Bus Safety
Although this is one of the safest ways to travel to and from school, injuries do happen. Nearly half of the children killed in bus-related incidents were pedestrians. Large buses often have blind spots that obstruct a driver’s view, about 10 feet in front of the bus. Children are often injured in these “blind spots” because they mistakenly believe the driver can see them. 

Waiting for the Bus
  • Arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
  • Stay out of the street and avoid horseplay. Cross the street at least ten feet (or ten giant steps) in front of the bus.

Boarding and Leaving the Bus
  • Walk in a single-file line.
  • Use handrails to avoid falls.
  • Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before exiting.
  • Exit from the front of the bus.
  • Always wait for parents on the same side of the street as the school bus loading/unloading zone.
  • Be aware of the driver’s blind spot when walking away from the bus.
  • Remove loose drawstrings or ties on jackets and sweatshirts, and replace with Velcro, snaps or buttons. Loose drawstrings on clothing or book bags can snag on bus handrails.
  • Always ask the bus driver for help if anything is dropped while entering or exiting the bus.

Riding on the Bus
  • Remain seated at all times and keep aisles clear.
  • Do not throw objects.
  • Do not shout or distract the driver unnecessarily.
  • Keep head and arms inside the bus at all times.

Walking to School
Pedestrian injuries are the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 5 to 14. SAFE KIDS Trident Area recommends that children under age 10 never cross the street alone. 
  • Choose the safest and most direct route and walk it with your child. Take the same route everyday and avoid shortcuts.
  • Teach children to learn and obey all traffic signs and signals but also to always stop and look both ways for cars before crossing. 
  • Look in all directions before crossing the street. Children should stop on the curb or edge of road and look left, right then left again before entering the street. Make eye contact with drivers to be sure the driver sees them before crossing.
  • Do not enter the street from between parked cars or areas where there are bushes or shrubs.   
  • Teach children to walk across the street at corners or marked crosswalks, with plenty of time to cross. Teach them to walk, not run across intersections.Listen to adult crossing guards or safety patrols.
  • Make sure children wear clothing or footwear that features retroreflective material and carry a flashlight if walking during dawn or dusk.
  • Warn children to be extra careful in bad weather. 
  • Teach children safe walking habits by being a good role model. 

Riding Bikes to School
Whether out of necessity or for fun, many children ride their bikes to school.  Bicycles are associated with more childhood injuries than any other consumer product except the automobile, so children need to understand how to ride safely.
  • Always wear a helmet and make sure it fits correctly and meets U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission safety standards. The helmet should sit level on their head, should not rock forward or back or side-to-side, and should always be buckled.
  • Wear bike helmets at all times while riding.  Head injury is the leading cause of death in bike crashes. 
  • Learn and follow the rules of the road. Ride on the right side of the road, with traffic; use appropriate hand signals; obey traffic signals; stop at all intersections, marked and unmarked; and stop and look left, right and left again before entering or crossing the street.
  • Never let children ride on the road without adult supervision until age 10.  Cycling should be restricted to sidewalks and paths until a child is age 10 and able to demonstrate their skill and understanding of basic rules of the road. 
  • Plan a safe cycling route and ride it with them.
  • Do not ride at night. Children should not be allowed to ride after dark and should wear retroreflective clothing when biking at dawn or dusk, or during bad weather.
  • Make sure schools provide cyclists with “safe areas.” Bike racks should be placed in areas where there are few motor vehicles and pedestrians.
 
Driving Children to School
Although parents might think that school zones are one of the safest areas on the road, according to a survey conducted last fall by the National SAFE KIDS Campaign, two-thirds of drivers speed in school zones. 
  • Always use child safety seats and seat belts every time you and your children ride. Remain buckled up until the car has come to a complete stop. Children who outgrow a convertible seat should ride in a booster seat until they are at least 8 years of age and 80 pounds.
  • Never put loose or heavy objects in the passenger area of the car that could injure someone in a sudden stop or crash.
  • Arrange to pick up children at a safe spot away from the congestion of traffic around the school.
  • Drop off children in a safe location so that they do not have to cross the street.
  • Make sure they enter and leave the car on the curb side.
Following these safety guidelines and reviewing them each year with your children can help keep the back-to-school season a safe one.  SAFE KIDS Trident area is a coalition of volunteers from Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties who are committed to keeping children in our community safe. To learn more about SAFE KIDS Trident Area, call 792-5327.

Friday, Sept. 2, 2005
Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.