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 SCHOOL BUS SAFETY If children ride a bus to school, they
should plan to get to their bus stop early and stand back from the
curb while waiting for the bus to arrive. Other safety steps
include:
- Wait to board the bus until it has come to a complete stop
and the driver or attendant has signaled to get on.
- Tell children they should only board their bus - never an
alternate one.
- Always stay in clear view of the bus driver and never walk
behind the bus.
- Cross the street at the corner, obey traffic signals and
stay in the crosswalk.
- Never dart out into the street, or cross between parked
cars.
GET TO SCHOOL SAFELY If children ride in a car to
get to school, they should always wear a seat belt.
- Younger children should use car seats or booster seats
until the lap-shoulder belt fits properly (typically for
children ages 8-12 and over 4’9”) and ride in the back seat
until they are at least 13 years old.
- If a teenager is driving to school, parents should
mandate that he or she use seat belts. Drivers should not
use their cell phone to text or make calls, and should avoid
eating or drinking while driving.
- Some students ride their bike to school. They should
always wear a helmet and ride on the right in the same
direction as the traffic is going.
- When students are walking to school, they should only
cross the street at an intersection. If possible, use a
route with crossing guards.
- Parents should walk young children to school, along with
children taking new routes or attending new schools, at
least for the first week to ensure they know how to get
there safely. Arrange for the kids to walk to school with a
friend or classmate.
WHAT DRIVERS SHOULD KNOW
Drivers should know what the yellow and red bus signals
mean and be aware that children are out walking or biking to
school and slow down - especially in residential areas and
school zones. Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is
getting ready to stop and motorists should slow down and be
prepared to stop. Red flashing lights and an extended stop
sign indicate the bus is stopped and children are getting on
or off. Drivers in both directions must stop their vehicles
and wait until the lights go off, the stop sign is back in
place and the bus is moving before they can start driving
again.
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Parents should also make sure the child knows their phone
number, address, how to get in touch with their parents at work,
how to get in touch with another trusted adult and how to dial
9-1-1. They should also teach children not to talk to strangers
or accept rides from someone they don’t know.
TAKE A FIRST AID CLASS
Red Cross training can give someone the confidence and skills to
help with everyday emergencies from paper cuts to school sports
injuries. A variety of online and in-class courses are available at
redcross.org/ takeaclass. People can download the free Red Cross
First Aid App (redcross.org/apps) for instant access to expert
advice whenever and wherever needed.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional
support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the
nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides
international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and
their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that
depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to
perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org
or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
[Trish Burnett, Regional
Communications Director]
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