Back to school safety tips

  • Published
  • By Chip Steitz
  • Torii Station Public Affairs
TORII STATION, Japan --  The first day of school for students in the Pacific is August 30th. The start of a new school year creates more traffic congestion, and pedestrian traffic in and around our schools. Children rely on walking, riding a bicycle, riding with parents or riding the school bus in order to get to school. Students and parents should keep in mind safety concerns associated with going back to school.

Walking and Biking to School

Even if your child doesn't ride the school bus, they still need to protect themselves and be careful about getting to and from school. Generally, there is minimal supervision when a child walks to school or takes the school bus. Young pedestrians face a wide variety of decisions while walking to and from school. Here are a few basic safety tips to follow:

· Parents should talk to children and establish the best route for their younger children to take to school. Choose the quickest way with the fewest street crossings and use intersections with crossing guards. Remind students that they are to walk the chosen route every day.
· Never walk alone - always travel with a buddy. Try and find a friend, or make a new friend in the neighborhood to walk to school or ride the bus.
· Respect traffic lights and street signs.
· Avoid loose fitting clothing that cold get caught in spokes or pedals.
· If your child bikes make sure they wear a helmet.
· Teach your children to cross a street at the crosswalk and to look "right, left, and right" because in Japan the traffic is coming from the opposite direction.
· Wear reflective or bright color clothing to increase visibility.


Riding the School Bus

It is estimated that 24 million students nationwide start their school day with a trip on the school bus. Statistically, school buses are the safest mode of transportation. Whether they walk, ride the bus or travel by car, parents should remind their children about these simple safety tips.

· Arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to pick the students up.
· Line up facing the bus, not alongside it.
· Carry all loose belongings in a bag or backpack and never reach under the school bus to get anything that has rolled or fallen beneath it.
· Always stand 4 giant steps back from the curb. When lining up, make your line away from the street.
· Never walk behind the bus.
· If you have to cross the street, take at least six giant steps forward on the sidewalk before turning to cross the street. That way, you and the bus driver can see each other.
· If you drop something near the bus, tell the driver before you pick it up. You want to make sure that the bus driver knows where you are at all times.
· Obey the bus driver/security attendant's instructions.
· Move immediately onto the sidewalk and out of traffic after getting off the bus.

Parents should remind their children about the inherent risks associated with going to school and coming home safely. They should also make a conscious effort to be aware of small children trying to make it to their destination and for parents picking up and dropping off their child and most importantly, watch for children darting out between cars or behind bushes and shrubs.

For more information on school safety, visit the following web site:

http://www.dodea.edu/offices/safety/safeSchools.cfm?sid=5