Safety Tips for a Smooth Back-To-School Experience

As summer comes to a close, it’s time to start planning for back-to-school. Whether it’s stocking up on notebooks and No. 2 pencils or heading to the doctor for a physical, the month of August is an exciting time to prepare your child for the academic year ahead. In honor of the National Safety Council’sBack to School Month, take into account these safety tips to ensure your little student has the best school year possible.

PLAN YOUR ROUTE

Though the rates have dropped over the years, over 13 percent of school-aged children (ages 5 to 14) still walk or bike to school according to the National Center for Safe Routes to School. If your child is among that group, there are a few safety rules to keep in mind from the American Academy of Pediatrics:

• Guide your walking student to school during the first week to get them used to the route. Those walking should only cross at lighted intersections or with assigned guards.
• Bicyclists must use proper hand signals and know the rules of the road. Bikers should also wear helmets and brightly colored clothes at all times.
• Make sure your child knows to never accept rides or favors from people they don’t know. Implement a password in case such an issue arises.

IMPLEMENT AN EMERGENCY PLAN

Whether before or after school, there are certain dangers that each student faces. To address them, the American Red Cross suggested a few basic but effective tips in case of an emergency. For one, all children should know how to get in touch with their parents. That means both the phone number and address. Children should also have a backup contact when parents are unable to be reached, such as a grandparent or family friend they can contact in case of an emergency. Lastly, it's a good idea for every child to know how to contact 911 and to use that number for emergencies.

GET VACCINATED

Back to school is also a good opportunity to make sure your children are up-to-date on all their immunizations. Always follow the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines when it comes to vaccinating your child, for a lack of attention can have dire consequences. In 2013, 90 percent of childhood flu deaths were among children who were unvaccinated. Students between the ages of four and 6 years old will need to get the following shots:

• Influenza
• IPV
• Varicella
• DTaP
• MMR

Keep in mind that side effects accompany many vaccines, and include fever, mild rash, swollen neck glands, limb soreness, fatigue, coughing and headaches.

To get your child's latest round of vaccines, you can head to your nearest CareWell Urgent Care Center. With locations across Massachusetts, CareWell is your go-to source for a safe and healthy back to school process.

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By Dr. Jack Cornwell, medical director CareWell Urgent Care