School safety tips

Walking to school:
•Walk with a friend.
•Pay attention to traffic signals and crossing guards. Never cross the street against a stop light.
•Cross at crosswalks, and never run into the street from between parked cars.
•Look left, right, and over your shoulder for traffic before crossing a street, and continue to check each direction.
•Make sure drivers see you by making eye contact with them.
•If riding a bicycle, scooter or skateboard, wear a helmet and ride in the same direction as traffic. Walk your bike if crossing a street.

Taking the bus:
•Line up facing the bus, not alongside it.
•After getting off the bus, move out of traffic.
•Wait for the bus driver to signal you to cross the street. Walk away from the front of the bus so the driver can see you.

In the car:
•Everyone should wear a seatbelt, and children should be  car seats appropriate for their age and size.
•Don’t be distracted by kids in the car or with other activities.
•Slow down in school zones. Driving just 5 mph over the speed limit increases both the risk of hitting a child and the severity of any injuries.
•Remain stopped until the child has crossed not only your lane of traffic, but the adjacent lane as well.
•Never pass a vehicle that has stopped at a crosswalk, as they may be waiting for someone to cross.
•Do not pass a school bus when its red lights are flashing, even if it is on the other side of the street.
•Use extra care in areas where children may enter the road from between parked vehicles or other things that block drivers' view of the road. And, watch out for bicycles.
Source: Teachers' Insurance Plan Safety Information Center