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BACK TO SCHOOL TIPS
With Life School starting back to school this week and Red Oak ISD starting next week, family life can get pretty hectic. It's important to remember – and share with your children – some key tips that will help keep them safe and healthy throughout the school year.

Transportation Safety
Whether children walk, ride their bicycle or take the bus to school, it is extremely important that they take proper safety precautions. Here are some tips to make sure your child safely travels to school:

Walkers
Review your family's walking safety rules and practice walking to school with your child.

Walk on the sidewalk, if one is available; when on a street with no sidewalk, walk facing the traffic

Before you cross the street, stop and look left, right and left again to see if cars are coming

Make eye contact with drivers before crossing and always cross streets at crosswalks or intersections

Stay alert

Bike Riders
Teach your child the rules of the road and practice riding the bike route to school with your child.

Ride on the right side of the road, with traffic, and in a single file

Come to a complete stop before crossing the street; walk bikes across the street

Stay alert and avoid distracted riding

Make sure your child always wears a properly fitted helmet and bright clothing

Bus Riders
Teach your children school bus safety rules and practice with them.

Go to the bus stop with your child to teach them the proper way to get on and off the bus

Teach your children to stand 6 feet (or three giant steps) away from the curb

If your child must cross the street in front of the bus, teach him or her to walk on the side of the road until they are 10 feet ahead of the bus; your child and the bus driver should always be able to see each other

Driving Your Child to School
Stay alert and avoid distracted driving.

Obey school zone speed limits and follow your school's drop-off procedure

Make eye contact with children who are crossing the street

Never pass a bus loading or unloading children

The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them to safely enter and exit the bus

Teen Drivers
Car crashes are the No. 1 cause of death for teens. Fortunately, there is something we can do.

Teens crash because they are inexperienced; practice with new drivers every week, before and after they get their license

Set a good example; drive the way you want your teen to drive

School Safety
Many School-related injuries are completely preventable. Follow these steps to ensure your child's safety at school.

Backpacks
Choose backpack for your child carefully; it should have ergonomically designed features to enhance safety and comfort.

Ask your children to use both straps when wearing their backpack to evenly distribute the weight on their shoulders

Don't overstuff a backpack; it should weigh no more than 5% to 10% of your child's body weight

Rolling backpacks should be used cautiously since they can create a trip hazard in school hallways