Back to School Safety Tips
Everyone deserves a safe community, especially our children. To help ensure the safety of children and everyone in the community, whether you’re a parent, student, or a responsible community member, remember the following back-to-school safety guidelines.
Bus Safety for Everyone
When it comes to school buses, the biggest risk is kids exiting and approaching buses. Not all kids, particularly younger ones, will remember to observe bus safety rules, so it’s up to other road users to protect these kids. If you drive your child to the bus stop or drive to work when kids are making their way to the bus stop or school, make sure to drive extra carefully and keep the following rules in mind:
- Drive with extra care when you see children walking on the street and/or waiting for the bus at the bus stop
- When a school bus is flashing lights, this means that kids might be hurrying to get on the bus or rushing to go home and could forget to follow the safety rules, so pay extra attention to the street
- Approach a school bus cautiously when it is flashing yellow lights because it is planning to make a stop
- A school bus that’s flashing red lights means that it has stopped so that children can get on or off the bus
Safety for Students
- Make it a point to be at the bus stop five minutes early to avoid rushing, which could lead to accidents.
- Always walk on sidewalks. Always face the traffic when walking on streets without sidewalks.
- Always look to your right and left when crossing the street.
- To ensure that drivers see you before you cross, always make eye contact with them first.
- Only cross streets at intersections or crosswalks.
- Sit or stand far back from the street when waiting for the school bus.
- Always wait for the school bus to come to a full stop before your get on or off.
- If you drop something near the bus, don’t try to get it yourself. Ask the driver or an adult for help.
- If you walk to or from the bus stop, never accept a ride from someone you don’t know or even speak to them. Even if the stranger looks like they need help, do not go near them; keep on walking. If possible, call 911, the police, or your parent right away.
A Crucial Note on Covid-19 Safety
As you and your child prepare for school, make sure to follow the updated Covid-19 guidance from The New York City Department of Education to ensure everyone’s safety.
Contact an Experienced New York Personal Injury Attorney
If you or your child was hurt in an accident that resulted in injuries, do not hesitate to get in touch with The Law Office of David M. Kaufman. Call 631-761-6400 or contact us online to set up your free case review. Mr. Kaufman prides himself on taking the time to ensure that his clients fully understand their options and how the system works.