Back to School Safety Tips

As the summer break draws to a close and Palm Beach County schools reopen, it is important to talk to your children about back-to-school safety. As a motorist, you should also take extra special care with schoolchildren on the road, including sharing the road with school buses, pedestrians and bicyclists.

From your little ones with heavy loads on their backs, to your teen drivers with the new responsibility of a car, all children are at risk for injury during the school year. Here are  few safety tips to help protect them.

Keep Their Backpacks Light

Doctors and physical therapists recommend that a backpack weigh no more than 10 percent of a child’s weight. Heavy loads can cause back and shoulder pain and poor posture.

Avoid Playground Injuries

The National Program for Playground Safety reports that more than 70 percent of playground injuries are caused by falls – usually involving swings, slides, and overhead ladders. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission instructs that the area around where a child might fall should have protective surfacing that extends at least six feet in all directions. Protective surfacing may consist of wood chips, mulch, sand, pea gravel, shredded tires or rubber mats, and should be at least 12 inches deep.

Make certain that your child’s playground equipment is free from protrusion and head entrapment hazards. You should also ensure that the playground receives regular maintenance, and that your child is adequately supervised while there.

Concussion Care

A common misconception is that boys who play football are the only ones who bang their heads during schools sports. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, girls suffer a higher percentage of concussions in sports in which both girls and boys participate, such as soccer.

If your child gets hit on the head, look for signs and symptoms of concussion, such as feeling sleepy, confusion, forgetfulness, glassy eyes, poor balance, slowed speech or changes in behavior. Make sure that all coaches know how to recognize these signs and have an emergency plan in place.

School Bus Safety

School buses are the safest mode of transportation, but children also need to be alert and aware of their surroundings, in order to prevent injuries. When waiting for a bus, your child should:

• Line up away from the street as the bus approaches;
• Wait until the bus has come to a complete stop before approaching; and
• Always use the handrail when boarding.

Once on the bus, your child should:

• Use a seat belt, if available;
• Not distract the driver;
• Keep head, arms and hands inside the bus;
• Keep aisles clear of books and other objects.

Share the Road

Remember, when a bus has its red overhead lights flashing, all traffic from BOTH directions must stop at least 20 feet from the school bus. Traffic must remain stopped until the flashing red lights are turned off, or the bus resumes its travel.

It is also crucial for you to keep an eye out for, and share the road with, pedestrians and bicyclists.

Don’t Walk and Text

Teenagers between the ages of 13 to 17 send more than 4,050 texts each month. Remind your children that texting while walking is dangerous. Also alert them:

• Not to walk while using earphones or headphones;
• To always walk on the sidewalk, rather than in the street; and to
• Cross only at crosswalks.

Like distracted drivers, distracted walkers are at an increased risk of danger from traffic and other hazards along the roadway.

Protect Your Teen Driver

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reminds parents to set “5 to Drive” rules for their teen drivers. Those rules are:

1. No Cell Phones While Driving;
2. No Extra Passengers;
3. No Speeding;
4. No Alcohol;
5. No Driving or Riding Without a Seat Belt

According to the National Safety Council, teen crashes spike in September, especially during the hours that school begins and ends. Having a conversation with your teen drivers can help prevent them from injuring themselves or others. As parents or guardians, you are the most effective influence, even if your teen drivers seem like they are not listening.

Taking precautions such as these will decrease the number of unnecessary accidents, injuries, and fatalities this school year. Be careful, be safe, and be aware. The Law Offices of Andrea McMillan wishes you and your child a safe and happy school year!

We Are Here If You Need Us

Not all injuries are avoidable. But when a school-related injury does occur, The Law Offices of Andrea McMillan encourages you to protect your rights by reaching out to an experienced law firm as soon as possible.

In many cases, the impact to a child will not be long-lasting, or permanent, and the school district will do the right thing. But until all of the facts, circumstances, and consequences are known, having veteran legal help is the best thing you can do to protect your child and your family.

If you, your child, or another loved one is injured, call an experienced lawyer who cares. Andrea McMillan with The Law Offices of Andrea McMillan is here for you. Call (561) 612-5700  today for a free consultation.