School is back in session for many children and they will be returning to school next week. As parents, it’s crucial to recognize that some safety measures that come naturally to us might not be as instinctive for our children. Regardless of whether your children take the school bus, ride their bicycles, or walk to school, taking the time to discuss these safety guidelines will ensure your children are prepared for safe travels to and from school.

1. Taking the bus to school

While taking the school bus is a safe mode of transportation for your children, dangerous situations can be avoided by discussing the following tips with them:

• Arrive at the bus stop early.
• Stay at your designated bus stop.
• Wait for the school bus in a safe place away from the edge of the road.
• Wait for the school bus to come to a complete stop with its overhead red lights flashing or stop arm activated before entering the bus.
• If you need to cross the road after exiting the school bus, always cross in front of the stopped bus when its red lights are flashing, or its stop arm is activated.
• When crossing in front of the school bus, stay 10 giant steps away from the bus to make sure the bus driver can see you.
• Do not run.
• Even though the bus has its red lights flashing and its stop arm activated, look both ways before crossing the road and make sure all traffic is stopped before proceeding.

2. Riding your bike to school

Riding a bicycle to school is a great way for children to get exercise. If your children are riding their bikes to school on their own, plan the route and test it out with them ahead of time. Here are some safety tips to discuss with your children to make sure they are riding their bikes safely to and from school:

• Always wear your helmet and make sure it is the proper fit.
  • It is important to discuss the dangers of not wearing a helmet with your kids. Please refer to our blog for tips on how to properly fit a helmet: https://burntucker.com/articles/15-years-of-helmets-for-kids/
• Make sure your bike is the right size.
• Keep two hands on the handlebars.
• Make sure your bike is fitted with a bell.
• Share the sidewalk with pedestrians and let them know you’re coming by ringing the bell.
• Follow the rules of the road. Stop at all stop signs. Ride on the right side of the road. Cross the street at intersections or cross walks, and walk your bike across the road.
• Always look both ways before crossing the road, even at an intersection or a crosswalk. Make sure all traffic has stopped before crossing.
• Obey the adult crossing guard.
• If riding with friends, ride in a single file.
• Stay off phones.
• Do not cycle with earbuds or anything that would prevent you from hearing traffic or distract your attention.
• Learn proper signals. Signal a left turn by stretching the left arm all the way out. A right turn can either be signaled with the left arm bent up at the elbow in an “L” shape or with the right arm stretched out. If they are going to stop, they can signal by bending the left arm down at the elbow in an upside down “L” shape.
• Make eye contact with drivers when crossing the road to make sure they see you.
• Pay attention to your surroundings.

It is also important to keep in mind that children under the age of 10 should not be riding their bicycles in traffic. For more information, please visit the Ontario Ministry of Transportation’s Young Cyclist’s Guide: https://www.ontario.ca/page/young-cyclists-guide#section-0

3. Walking to school

Some of you may live close enough to your children’s school to allow them to walk. If your children are walking to school unsupervised by an adult, see if they can walk with a friend. Here is a list of safety measures to discuss with your children if they are walking to school:

• Walk with a friend.
• Always make sure to be seen. Wear bright colours or wear reflective gear.
• Keep an eye out for traffic, this includes intersections, crosswalks, driveways, and parked cars who may be getting ready to move.
• Look both ways before crossing the road. Always make sure traffic is completely stopped before proceeding.
• Obey the adult crossing guard.
• Obey traffic signs and signals.
• Do not run.
• Do not speak to strangers, even those who stop to ask for directions or ask if you need a ride.

Parents should always help their children pick a safe route to walk to and from school. Practice this route with your children and advise them to always stick to the same route.

Our children should be aware of the possible dangers associated with travelling to and from school. By discussing these safety tips with your children, they will be well equipped to start the school year off on the right foot!