Back to School Safety

It’s back to school time and kids are heading out the door to join their classmates. In all the back to school fun, remember to talk to your child about disaster safety in case a emergency occurs in your neighborhood and talk to them about traveling safely to school.

Disaster Planning Tips

Disasters are usually unexpected. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to have a family disaster plan meeting before an emergency occurs.

Family Disaster Plan Meeting

• Pick one family member for each person to call or text.
• Choose a meeting spot near your home. In case your neighborhood is being evacuated, choose a second location outside of the neighborhood. Practice getting to the meeting spot.
• Put the meeting spot location in: backpack, wallet, taped inside school notebook or cell phone.
• Build an emergency kit.
• Discuss the different types of disasters and how to safe when they occur: earthquakes, wildfires, home fires, drought, etc.
• Take a First Aid class with the family. Download the Red Cross First Aid App.
• Make an emergency card for each child to keep in their backpack.
• Memorize important numbers and addresses.
• Discuss where the police station and fire station are located in your neighborhood.
• Visit Ready Wrigley ? online resource that teaches children about what to do in emergency situations.

Travel Tips

School Bus

• If your child’s school bus has lap/shoulder seat belts, make sure your child uses one at all times when in the bus.
• Do not move around on the bus.
• Check to see that no other traffic is coming before crossing.
• Always remain in clear view of the bus driver.
• Teach children the proper way to get on and off the bus.

Car

• Wear a seat belt or age and size appropriate car safety seat or booster seat.
• All children under 13 years of age should ride in the rear seat of vehicles.
• Do not allow your teen to drive while eating, drinking, or talking on a cell phone.

Bike

• Always wear a bicycle helmet.
• Ride on the right, in the same direction as auto traffic.
• Use appropriate hand signals.
• Respect traffic lights, stop signs and rules of the road (teach them the rules of the road).
• Wear bright color clothing to increase visibility.

Walking to School

• A safe route with well-trained adult crossing guards at every intersection.
• Consider whether or not your child is ready to walk to school without adult supervision.
• Bright colored clothing will make your child more visible to drivers.
• Talk to your child about stranger danger.