September has arrived and it’s back to work and back to school. The kids will be out and about so we have to be sure to watch out for them. Here are some back to school tips to keep students safe:

Parents of Primary Students:

• Find a safe route to and from school and practice it with your children.
• Join an existing Walking School Bus or Bicycle Train, or start up your own with other parents in your neighborhood.
• Identify safe places along the route, such as a friend’s house, where your children can go if they encounter trouble.
• Discuss how to safely interact with strangers
• Ensure your children understand traffic safety, such as how to cross the street, board the school bus and what to do and whom to contact in the event of a natural disaster.
• If your child has food allergies, co-ordinate with the school principal on an updated emergency plan that best meets your child’s needs.

Parents of Intermediate/Middle School Students:

• Help your children pack their backpacks, and ensure their backpacks weigh no more than 10 to 20 per cent of their body weight.
• Make sure your children use both shoulder straps when carrying their backpacks. Slinging a backpack over one shoulder can strain muscles and may even increase the curvature of their spines.
• Discuss your children’s safe route to school and ensure it is still effective. Note any changes in safe stops, such as friends moving to or from the neighborhood.
• Talk to your children about appropriate school behavior, and remind them what to do and whom to talk to if they encounter bullying, including online bullying.
• Help your children understand how to safely use the Internet and how to protect their privacy.

Parents of Secondary Students:

• Talk to your teenagers about being safe drivers and passengers. Let them know it is okay to say “no” to getting into a car with someone they feel is an unsafe driver.
• Encourage your teens to talk to you about issues that are important to them, including peer pressure, drugs and alcohol, and sexuality.
• Let your teenagers grow and help to provide them with a sense of confidence. This is the best defense against peer pressure.

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