Back-To-School Safety Tips For Kids, Parents And Drivers

Labor Day is almost upon us, and with the end of August comes an end to beach days and a return to class for students across Rhode Island. The American Red Cross Rhode Island and Connecticut has a series of tips for students, parents and the general public to help ensure a safe and smooth transition back to school.

"While safety is a top priority for all students, there are special steps for parents of younger kids and those headed to school for the first time," said Stefanie Arcangelo, the chief communications officer at the American Red Cross Connecticut and Rhode Island.

For young children, school is often the first time they have been away from their parents for a long time. Before sending kids off on their own, make sure your child knows their home phone number, address, how to dial 911 and how to contact a parent or other trusted adult at work, Arcangelo continued, as well as talking about strangers and teaching children to never accept a ride from or talk to people whom they don't know.

Students who take the school bus should be at the stop early and stand away from the curb while waiting. Teach children to obey traffic lights and always cross the street in a crosswalk if possible. Once on the bus, students should remain seated while the bus is in motion and only board buses after it has come to a complete stop. When getting off of the bus, students should be taught to stay in the view of the driver, only crossing in front and avoiding walking behind buses.

When walking or biking to school, students must also take precautions, wearing a helmet when biking obeying rules of the road. Parents should accompany younger children until they know the route well. If possible, children should walk or bike to school in pairs or groups.

Knowing that students are headed back to school, drivers are encouraged to be more aware, slowing down and watching for students walking, biking or waiting at bus stops. Yellow flashing lights on a school bus mean that the bus is about to stop, while flashing red lights and a stop sign mean the bus is stopped and a students is getting on or off of the bus. Drivers must stop when red lights are flashing, regardless of what side of the street they are on. The only exception: if there is a defined median such as a grassy area or concrete barrier that clearly splits the road down the middle. Drivers on the opposite side of the road do not have to stop.

The Red Cross encourages parents to learn the emergency plan at their child's school ahead of time, also developing a family emergency plan at home so children know what to do and who to call if something goes wrong.