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Back-to-School Safety Tips for Parents and Guardians
As the back-to-school season arrives, it's essential to prioritize safety both inside and outside the classroom. Whether your child walks, bikes, takes the bus, or gets dropped off, there are key precautions that can help ensure a smooth and secure transition into the new school year.

Before School: Setting Safety Standards
  1. Walking or Biking: If your child walks or bikes to school, encourage them to travel with a group of friends. Equip them with reflective clothing or a reflective backpack, especially for darker mornings, and ensure they understand the importance of traffic signals.
  2. Bus Safety: Review the basics of boarding and exiting the bus safely. Make sure your child knows their home address by heart in case they need assistance.
  3. Car Drop-offs: If you're driving your child, always follow the school's drop-off procedures. Adhere to school zone speed limits and never pass a bus when it's loading or unloading children.
At School: Keeping Your Child Safe
  1. Memorizing Important Information: Ensure your child knows their full name, your cell phone number, and your home address.
  2. Healthy Hygiene: Reinforce proper hand-washing techniques to help keep them healthy throughout the school year.
  3. Avoid Personalizing Belongings: Refrain from putting your child’s first name on the exterior of backpacks or lunch boxes, as this can make them vulnerable to strangers. Instead, place initials or names on the inside.
  4. Backpack Weight: To promote healthy posture, keep your child’s backpack weight to no more than 5% to 10% of their body weight.
  5. Addressing Bullying: Talk to your child about recognizing and reporting bullying, whether they are a witness or a victim. Encourage them to approach a trusted adult if they feel unsafe.
  6. Trusted Adult: Help your child identify a "trusted adult" at school they can turn to if they need help or feel threatened.
After School: Staying Safe at Home
  1. Check-In Routine: If no one is home when your child arrives after school, establish a check-in routine, where they call or text you upon arriving. Consider using a family locator app for real-time updates on their location.
  2. Home Safety: If your child will be home alone, create clear guidelines for locking the door and specify who is allowed to visit in your absence.
  3. Online Safety: Discuss the importance of internet safety, emphasizing the need to avoid sharing personal information online.
  4. Emergency Preparedness: Make sure your child knows what to do in an emergency, whether it’s severe weather or a fire. Identify safe places within your home and establish a meeting point outside.
Remember, school safety starts at home, and being proactive can foster a secure environment for everyone. By staying vigilant and reinforcing these tips, you can help your child navigate the school year safely.

For more guidance on keeping your family safe, contact us at Nycklemoe & Ellig P.A. Attorneys at Law. We're here to help you safeguard what matters most.
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