September has arrived, and most kids have headed back to school. This time of year brings lots of excitement, a return to routines and schedules, and the opportunity for kids to learn and grow through a new school year. It’s also an excellent time for families to review their safety habits to help ensure everyone stays safe all year long. So, in today’s blog, we want to offer a few simple things you can do to ensure your children’s safety as they head off to school.
Review your route
Whether your child walks, bikes, takes the bus, or is driven to school, it’s helpful to review the safest route together. This way, everyone is on the same page and understands where they need to be and how to get to school safely. This is also a great opportunity to chat with your kids about street-crossing safety, watching for traffic, and how important it is to be aware of their surroundings. If your child rides a bike to school, make sure they have and wear a properly fitted helmet and understand how to navigate to school safely and properly.
Discuss school bus safety
School bus safety is very important, regardless of whether you are riding on it or not! Remind your kids to keep a safe distance from the curb when waiting for the bus, to always stay in their seat, and to wait until the bus stops before moving or getting off. With younger children, be sure to teach them to look carefully for traffic and to never walk behind a bus because the driver may not be able to see them. We have a helpful blog on school bus safety that we encourage you to read for more information.
Talk about strangers
It’s key that kids know what to do in a situation involving a stranger. If they are faced with someone they don’t know or who makes them uncomfortable, encourage them to find a trusted adult for help. Remind them to stay with a friend and, when possible, avoid walking to and from school alone.
They should also be aware of what’s going on around them. Often, children think they should only be cautious of big, scary people. However, strangers of all shapes, sizes, genders, and ages can pose a danger, so it’s important to talk about appropriate behaviours and encourage them to trust their instincts about people.
Encourage playground safety
Playgrounds are an excellent way for kids to get their energy out and stay active during the day. However, they are also prone to accidents. Teach your children to use the equipment properly, to take turns, and to be aware of other children around them. If they don’t feel comfortable doing something, let them know it’s okay to move along to something else and not feel pressured by others.
Don’t forget digital safety
It’s no secret that we live in a constantly connected world, and often, school extends far past the walls of the school building. Have age-appropriate conversations with your children about digital safety, including protecting their personal information (like their address, phone number, etc.), having strong passwords, and being cautious about communicating with people they don’t know online. Set age-appropriate boundaries for screen time and ensure they speak with you or a trusted adult if something is making them uncomfortable online.
With a little bit of preparation, regular conversations, and check-ins, children can head into the school year with the knowledge and confidence they need to make good decisions all year long.