| 09/07/2001 | Stay Safe While Heading Back to SchoolAs the carefree days of summer give way to the hectic back-to-school season, parents and caregivers should take
time out to teach and review safety guidelines with children. "As fall approaches and children prepare to return to school, it's important for parents and children to go over safety tips together," says Gina Duchossois, Trauma Prevention Coordinator and Chair of the SAFE KIDS Coalition of Southeastern Pennsylvania, led by The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "This will help ensure a safe, enjoyable start to the school year for everyone."
The SAFE KIDS Coalition of Southeastern Pennsylvania offers these guidelines to help parents and caregivers keep children safe this back-to-school season:
School Bus Safety
About 23.5 million students ride school buses daily. Although this is one of the safest ways to travel to and from school, injuries do occur. In 1999, 31 children age 14 and under were killed in school bus-related traffic crashes. An estimated 7,000 children were injured in school bus-related incidents. More than half of the children killed were pedestrians. Many injuries happen when children are boarding or exiting the bus. A blind spot extends about 10 feet in front of the bus, obstructing the driver's view. Follow these important tips for school bus safety:
-- Arrive at the stop at least five minutes before the bus arrives.
-- Stay out of the street and avoid horseplay.
-- Cross the street at least 10 feet (or 10 giant steps) in front of the bus.
-- Walk in a single file line when boarding the bus.
-- Use the handrail to avoid falls.
-- Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before exiting.
-- Always wait for parents on the same side of the street as the school bus loading/unloading zone.
-- Remove loose drawstrings or ties on clothing and book bags.
-- Remain seated at all times and keep the aisles clear.
-- Do not throw objects.
-- Keep head and arms inside the bus at all times.
-- Do not shout or distract the driver unnecessarily.
Pedestrian Safety
Pedestrian injuries are the third leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 5 to 14. In 1998, nearly 730 children ages 14 and under died from pedestrian injuries, and in 1999 an estimated 25,000 children ages 14 and under suffered motor vehicle-related pedestrian injuries. The SAFE KIDS Coalition of Southeastern Pennsylvania recommends that children under 10 never cross the street alone. Make sure to teach children the following safety guidelines:
-- Choose the safest route and walk it with children.
-- Recognize and obey all traffic signals and markings.
-- Make sure to look in all directions before crossing the street.
-- Do not enter the street from between parked cars or from behind bushes or shrubs.
-- Cross the street at a corner or crosswalk.
-- Wear retroreflective clothing.
Bicycle Safety
Bicycle riding is a favorite pastime of children. Nearly 28 million children ages 5 to 14 ride bicycles. Unfortunately, bicycles are associated with more childhood injuries than any other consumer product except the automobile. In 1998, 203 children ages 14 and under died in bicycle-related crashes. Motor vehicles were involved in more than 180 of these deaths. More than 380,000 children ages 14 and under were treated in hospital emergency rooms for bicycle-related injuries in 1999. To keep children safe, follow these safety guidelines:
-- Wear a bicycle helmet correctly
-- Be sure the bicycle helmet meets U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission safety standards.
-- Follow the rules of the road.
-- Never let children ride on the road without direct supervision until at least the age of 10.
Driving Children to School
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 14 and under. In 1998, approximately 1,765 children ages 14 and under died in motor vehicle crashes. More than 270,000
were injured as occupants in motor vehicles in 1999. Although many parents might think that school zones are one of the safest areas on the road, according to a survey conducted last fall by the National SAFE KIDS Campaign,
two-thirds of driver's speed in school zones. With these disturbing facts in mind, follow these safety tips each time a child is driven in a motor vehicle:
-- Always use child safety seats, booster seats and seat belts correctly.
-- Never put loose or heavy objects in the passenger area of the car.
-- Allow extra time in the driver's schedule to avoid driving too fast when late.
-- Arrange to drop off and pick up children at a safe spot.
-- Make sure children enter and leave the car on the curb-side.
Following these important safety guidelines and reviewing them evey year with your children can help keep the back-to-school season a safe one. |
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