Back-to-School Safety Tips for Families

Back-to-School Safety Tips for Families

Source: redcross.org

As the new school year begins, it is important for parents, students, and drivers to work together to ensure children travel safely to and from school. Safety should be a top priority, whether kids are walking, biking, riding the bus, or being dropped off by car. By staying alert, following traffic laws, and practicing safe habits, we can help protect students and create a safer environment for everyone during busy school hours.

Safety for Young Children

If your child is heading to school for the first time, take time to review these basics:

• Make sure they know their home address, phone number, and how to reach a parent at work or another trusted adult.
• Teach them how to call 911 in an emergency.
• Remind them never to speak with strangers or accept a ride from someone they don’t know.

Walking to School

Students who walk should:

• Use sidewalks whenever possible. If none are available, walk facing traffic.
• Stop and look left, right, and left again before crossing the street.
• Cross only at corners or marked crosswalks and follow traffic signals.
• Never run into the street or cross between parked cars.

Riding the School Bus

For those who take the bus:

• Arrive at the bus stop early and wait a safe distance from the curb.
• Only board once the bus has completely stopped and the driver says it’s safe.
• Always ride their assigned bus and never an unfamiliar one.
• Stay visible to the bus driver and avoid walking behind the bus.

Biking to School

Students who bike should:

• Always wear a properly fitted helmet.
• Ride on the right-hand side of the road, moving in the same direction as traffic.

Riding in the Car

If you drive your child to school:

• Make sure everyone is buckled up every trip.
• Children ages 8–12 (or under 4’9”) should use a booster seat until the seat belt fits properly.
• Kids should ride in the back seat until they are at least 13 years old.

Teen Drivers

If your teenager drives to school, remind them to:

• Always wear a seat belt.
• Never text, make calls, or eat and drink while driving.

Cell Phones and Safety Apps

If your student has a phone, consider downloading free Red Cross First Aid and Emergency Apps at redcross.org/apps so they can access safety tips and severe weather alerts when needed.

A Reminder for Drivers

As school starts, roads become busier with children walking, biking, and riding buses. Drivers should:

• Slow down in school zones and near bus stops.
• Know that flashing yellow lights on a bus mean it is preparing to stop.
• Stop completely when red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended. This means children are getting on or off.
• Remain stopped until the lights stop flashing, the stop sign folds back, and children have reached a safe location.

‍Remember: This applies to both two- and four-lane roads, unless lanes are divided by a physical barrier such as a grassy median or guardrail.

Lightning Safety at Work and Home

^{Sources: NOAA and Weather.gov}

‍Lightning Safety Talk

Lightning is a serious hazard both on and off the job. An average of 25 million lightning strikes occur in the United States each year. Individuals should identify and plan for the potential risk of lightning before beginning any work or leisure activity during storm season. Have a clear plan for when you will cease work and where you will go to find shelter if lightning is expected. The best practice to avoid being struck is to take shelter indoors before a storm reaches your immediate area.

Lightning Fatality Statistics

• Lightning kills approximately 20 people annually in the United States.
• Males account for a majority of these fatalities.
• Off-the-job activities that result in the most fatalities include fishing, beach activities, camping, boating, soccer, and golf.
• Most deaths occur during the months of June, July, and August.
• Many victims are on their way to safety at the time of the fatal strike.

Five Common Lightning Myths

Myth 1: If there are no clouds or rain, there will not be lightning.

Truth: Lightning can strike up to 3 miles from the center of a storm. In some cases, bolts have struck more than 10 miles away.

Myth 2: Lightning does not strike the same place twice.

Truth: Lightning often strikes the same place multiple times. Common targets include tall metal buildings, cell phone towers, and isolated trees in open areas.

Myth 3: Rubber tires on a car protect you from lightning by insulating you from the ground.

Truth: It is the metal frame of the vehicle that protects you. The frame conducts the electricity around you and into the ground, acting as a Faraday cage.

Myth 4: Take shelter under a tree during a thunderstorm.

Truth: Trees are often hit by lightning. Many injuries and fatalities occur when people are standing under or near trees during a lightning strike.

Myth 5: If you are in a house, you are 100% safe from lightning.

Truth: While a house is generally a safe place, you should avoid anything that conducts electricity. This includes corded phones, electrical appliances, wires, TV cables, computers, plumbing, metal doors, and windows.

Summary

It is essential not to become complacent about lightning safety. Although the total number of fatalities each year is relatively low, lightning strikes can be severe. According to Weather.gov, only 10% of those struck by lightning are killed, while the remaining 90% of victims are left with varying degrees of long-term disabilities.

What is a Safety Stand Down?

A Safety Stand-Down is a deliberate pause in operations that allows us to come together and discuss safety protocols, address concerns, and reinforce best practices in the workplace. This intentional break, often initiated by management, aims to refocus and re-educate employees on safety standards specific to their roles or the industry. Safety stand-downs can be structured, with presentations and training sessions, or more informal, involving open discussions about potential hazards and preventive measures.

The importance of a Safety Stand-Down cannot be overstated. Firstly, it fosters an open line of communication between Team Members and Management about safety concerns, ensuring everyone is aligned with the company’s safety objectives. This proactive approach helps identify and mitigate potential risks before they become real threats.

Moreover, these sessions foster a culture of safety within the organization, emphasizing that Team Members' well-being is a top priority. When workers feel their safety is valued, they are more likely to adhere to protocols, leading to fewer incidents and a healthier work environment.

Safety Stand-Downs are integral components of effective workplace safety programs. When executed correctly, they offer numerous benefits:

Heightened Awareness: Stand-downs act as periodic reminders of the importance of safety. They bring potential hazards to light, ensuring that safety remains at the forefront of every worker’s mind.

Improved Communication: These sessions foster open dialogue between all Team Members, from top management to frontline workers. This communication helps bridge gaps in understanding or perception of safety practices and policies.

Injury and Accident Prevention: By focusing on specific safety concerns or recent incidents, Safety Stand-Downs can provide targeted education, potentially preventing future accidents or injuries.

Reinforces Safety Culture: Periodic Stand-Downs emphasize that safety is not a one-time topic but an ongoing priority. This can help ingrain a robust safety culture within the organization.

Employee Engagement: By involving workers in safety discussions and encouraging their feedback, Stand-Downs enhance Team Member engagement. Team Members feel more valued and involved when they can actively participate in safety discussions.

Compliance with Regulations: Regularly revisiting and discussing safety topics can help ensure an organization remains compliant with industry regulations and standards, avoiding potential penalties.

Reduction in Costs: Preventing accidents can significantly reduce costs associated with medical care, workers’ compensation, and potential legal liabilities.

Increased Productivity: A safe work environment promotes better morale and reduces disruptions caused by accidents. This can increase productivity as Team Members can focus on their tasks without safety concerns.

Enhanced Reputation: Organizations that prioritize safety and conduct regular Stand-Downs will likely have a better reputation among clients, partners, and potential Team Members.

Continuous Improvement: Gathering feedback during Stand-Downs can highlight areas of improvement. This iterative process ensures that safety protocols evolve as new risks emerge or better methods are developed.

In essence, Safety Stand-Downs invest in our Teams’ well-being and our organization’s overall health. Their benefits extend beyond immediate safety improvements, impacting productivity, costs, and reputation.