Back to School Safety Tips and Injury Prevention

The first day of school is here. As your family gets back into the school routine, it is an excellent time to review safety tips with your kids. While the recent surge in violence in our schools is concerning, children are nine times more likely to unintentionally sustain an injury at school rather than harm coming from another child. Approximately 2.2 million children under the ages of 14 suffer injuries at school each year. Consider the following safety tips to review with your kids before sending them off to school.

An estimated 25 million children ride the school bus every day, keeping approximately 17 million vehicles away from the schools. Buses come equipped with multiple safety features, traditionally making them safer than the family vehicle or walking to school. However, injuries still occur. Keep your child safe by reminding him or her of these tips:

• Stay away from the road until the school bus comes to a complete stop;
• Use handrails while boarding and exiting;
• Buckle up with a seatbelt, when available;
• Remain seated at all times;
• Keep belongings in your bag and out of the aisle; and
• If you need to cross in front of the bus, then walk far enough in front to make eye contact with the driver.

If you live within walking distance of the school, it is a good idea to walk the route with your child for the first few times. Watch for potentially hazardous intersections and point them out to your child and offer advice about how to stay safe. Tips for walkers include:

• Walk with a buddy;
• Use a crossing guard when available;
• Look for traffic when crossing behind a vehicle or other obstruction;
• Look left, right, and then left again; and
• Only cross at intersections.

Bicycles are an excellent way for kids to get to and from school a little faster than walking, and many children find it enjoyable. Experts suggest that children under the age of nine should not ride a bike to school just yet. Even those who meet the age suggestions should only ride during broad daylight and in non-traffic congested areas. If you feel your child is ready, arm him or her with these helpful hints:

• Wear a fitting helmet every ride;
• Use a backpack to carry school items;
• Learn hand signals and use them; and
• Perform routine maintenance such as checking tires, brakes, and seat and handlebar height.

Despite our best efforts, accidents happen and our children are susceptible to injuries. If your child is hurt due to the negligence of a driver or someone else, a Monterey County accident injury attorney can help. Medical bills stack up quickly, and insurance policies may only offer minimal assistance. Those at fault should be held financially accountable. Let the experienced attorneys at Corsiglia McMahon & Allard, L.L.P. help you get the compensation you need. Call us today at 408-298-7200 to schedule your initial consultation.

• Austin Police Department shares back-to-school safety tips, announces new initiative
• Your Child Is Nine Times More Likely to Suffer a School Injury Than School Violence
• Buses are the Safest Mode of Transportation for School Children