Riding The School Bus: 11 Ways To Insure Your Child's Safety
The school bus is a safe means of transportation for your kids when going to school, but accidents with school buses can and do happen. Every year, some nine thousand children are injured and thirty-five are killed in school bus accidents. Most of these accidents happen when children are outside of the bus and hit by a passing vehicle or the school bus itself. You can protect your child by taking some of the following precautions, depending on your child's age and experience.
1. Make sure your child has a book bag or backpack for his papers so that loose papers do not blow away on the bus.
2. If it is dark when your child walks to or from the school bus, have her wear bright clothing to increase her visibility.
3. Stand back as the bus approaches and do not walk toward the bus until it comes to a full stop.
4. Go to your seat immediately and stay seated until the bus stops and you are ready to get off.
5. Buckle the seat belt (if available).
6. Do not put your hands or head out the window.
7. Do not yell or talk loudly while on the bus.
8. Do not carry glass items on the bus.
9. Move away from the bus after getting off and wait for the bus driver to tell you to cross the street.
10. Always walk at least ten feet in front of the bus when crossing so you are visible to the bus driver.
11. Do not go back to pick up an item you dropped until the bus driver has clearly directed you to or the bus has left.
In addition, use the following guidelines to help your child feel comfortable and confident in riding the school bus.
* Introduce yourself and your child to the bus driver. Knowing the bus driver will help your child feel more comfortable and will be an advantage in resolving bus problems.
* Make sure your child knows where to wait for the bus and where to get off. Walk a young child to and from the bus stop at least the first few times. Drive the bus route with her from school to home and point out her bus stop so she knows where to get off.
* Avoid having your child get to the bus stop too early to minimize the potential for problems.
* Have your child memorize the number of her school bus so that she does not get on the wrong one. Tell her to ask the driver if she is not sure it is the right bus.
* Try to find a child in your neighborhood with whom she can sit on the bus.