 "When kids go back to school, parents should make sure the child
knows his or her home phone number and address, parents' work
contact information, how to get in touch with another trusted adult,
and how to dial 911," said Colleen Stone, chief executive officer of
the Illinois Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross.
"Parents should also teach their children not to talk to strangers
or accept rides from someone they don't know."
If your child walks or rides their bike to school:
-
Make sure you know
the route they are taking to school. It doesn't hurt to ask your
child to text you when they make it to school.
-
Be sure your child
has a properly fitted bike helmet and that they wear it.
-
Encourage your child to have a buddy to
go to school with them.
If your child takes the bus to
school, remind your child:
-
Do not play in the
street while waiting for the bus.
-
After getting off
the bus, move immediately to the sidewalk and out of traffic. If
there is no sidewalk, try to stay as far to the side of the road
as possible.
-
Never cross the street behind the
school bus or play behind the bus.
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If your teenager drives to school:
Make sure you know which way they are
taking to get to school and give them these tips:
-
Allow plenty of
time so they won't rush.
-
Remind them to
watch for children walking or riding their bikes to school and
to be careful around school buses.
-
Wear seat belt and no phone while
driving.
Disasters and emergencies can happen
at any time. It's important to be prepared in case an emergency
occurs while your child is in school.
-
When the new
school year begins, talk to your child's teacher or school
principal about the school's emergency plan.
-
Remind your child
that the most important thing they can do if an emergency
happens at school is to stay calm and listen to the direction of
their teachers or principal.
-
Tape a copy of your family's contact
numbers and meeting places to the inside of your child's binder
or homework notebook and in their book bag.
[Text from file received from the
American Red Cross,
Illinois Capital Area Chapter]
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