10 Back to School Safety Tips Every Parent Needs to Know

As parents, we must ensure our children are safe and secure in all aspects of their educational journey. While returning to school brings a lot of excitement for students, it also comes with some potential safety risks that we should be aware of as parents. 

Here are 10 back-to-school safety tips designed for any parent who wants to provide their child with an optimal learning environment – both at home and away from home. Make sure you take the time before classes start to review these safety strategies so your child can have a successful experience this year.

What Every Parent Needs To Know About Back-to-School Safety Tips

Back to school means a fresh start. Here are a few tips to help children stay safe in the new year.

1. Instruct On Bus Safety

Here are a few tips for bus safety for students, staff, and parents who are preparing to return to school. 

• First, arrive at the bus stop 5 minutes early before the designated pick-up time and stay at least 10 feet away from the edge of the road until the bus arrives.
• Sit down quickly and leave your backpack beneath or in your lap after you board the bus. 
• Refrain from distracting behavior (including loud talking and mobile devices) so as not to distract the driver’s attention from the road. 

Above all, remain calm and courteous and respect fellow passengers. Following these simple guidelines will help guarantee a safe ride.

2. Practice Stranger Danger

Now that the school year has started, it’s important to review safety protocols with children of all ages. Stranger danger is an essential element of safety protocol; children must learn to recognize potentially dangerous situations and know what steps to take if they feel threatened by a stranger. Educate your children on the importance of not talking to strangers or getting into a car with someone they don’t know. 

Please ensure they know that even people trying to be friendly or helpful can still pose a risk and that it’s better for them to remain cautious until you arrive. Practicing these kinds of back-to-school safety tips will help ensure your kids have a safe academic year.

3. Establish Contact Info

Safety remains an important priority for families and educational institutions as students return to school. To stay informed of the latest safety guidelines, it’s essential to establish contact information before the school year begins. Knowing ahead of time who to reach out to should any questions arise makes preparing for returning to school easier.

Parents and guardians should obtain contact information for teachers, administrators, or other staff members at the school so they can stay connected with updates and directions as needed. Establishing this form of communication can help ensure nobody is left in the dark when it comes time to return to classes in person.

4. Pack A Safe Lunch

A safe lunch is essential to easing parents’ minds of the added stresses and worries that accompany the start of school. Preparing a well-balanced, nutritious, and delicious meal requires only a little bit of planning. Begin by creating a grocery list before heading to the store. 

This will help ensure all ingredients are fresh and up to date on their expiration dates. Packaged items should be checked for any signs of tampering or damage before adding them to the lunchbox. 

• Turkey, ham, chicken, tuna salad, boiled eggs, and vegetables like cherry tomatoes can also be included as lean protein sources. 
• Fruits are always an excellent snack for healthfulness; consider including apple slices with nut butter for that extra crunchy taste.
• Lastly, pack plenty of water for students to stay hydrated throughout the school day. 

These tips will ensure children and parents stay safe and healthy this coming school year.

5. Organize After-School Plans

When heading back to school in this unpredictable environment, setting aside time to establish a plan for safe after-school activities is essential. Consider discussing a few ideas with your kids, such as outdoor activities that can accommodate physical distancing protocols or virtual opportunities that can be enjoyed from the comfort of home. 

Make sure to research organizations and facilities to ensure they are following all current health and safety guidelines. Developing a routine for cleaning and sanitizing supplies after every use and training children on proper handwashing techniques will also be beneficial in keeping everyone safe. Taking the extra time to organize healthy and safe after-school options for your family will pay off in the long run.

6. Review School Policies

As our community prepares for the upcoming school year, reviewing current policies is essential to ensure safety is a top priority. School districts should take this opportunity to evaluate recommended practices and protocols and develop appropriate safeguards, such as mandatory mask-wearing, frequent sanitizing of commonly touched surfaces, and having a plan for virtual learning as needed.

It’s also essential that parents remain informed of any new school safety procedures and expectations so they may discuss them with their children before the start of the academic year. Working together in partnership can help ensure that everyone stays healthy and safe while enjoying the structure and learning experiences provided by schools this coming year.

7. Prepare For Emergencies

As students, teachers, and administrators head back to school this fall, everyone must be prepared for emergencies. All schools should have safety plans in place to ensure they respond quickly in the event of an emergency. Staff and teachers should review these safety plans regularly so that everyone knows the procedure in any given situation. All classrooms should have basic first-aid kits, evacuation maps, and a fire extinguisher.

Additionally, parents should talk to their kids about what to do if there is an emergency at school. Teaching children the importance of being prepared for any emergency, including drills or code words, will help encourage them to stay calm in potentially chaotic situations. Establishing good safety habits can help provide some peace of mind during the academic year.

9. Talk About Bullying

Bullying has become a widespread issue that can have long-lasting, damaging effects on the victims. It is essential for students to feel safe in their school environment, so back-to-school safety tips should include the prevention of bullying and harassment. School policies should provide clear definitions of bullying and outline appropriate consequences for perpetrators.

Additionally, adults in the school should constantly monitor areas where bullying is most likely to occur and be prepared to intervene in any situation where a student may be victimized. Create an open dialogue between parents and teachers about bullying issues; this will help ensure student safety during the school year and foster a welcoming learning atmosphere for all.

9. Know The Rules Of The Road

As students everywhere are heading back to school, everyone must understand and follow the rules of the road to ensure safety. Follow posted speed limit signs, obey all traffic signals, stay off your cell phones while driving, and come to a complete stop at red lights or stop signs.

Always use turn signals when changing lanes or turning corners, and allow plenty of space between cars on the road when passing or turning. Awareness of other drivers and pedestrians crossing the street will also help keep everyone safe on the roads during this hectic time. Overall, following these rules will lead to better and safer driving for everyone on their first day back to school and every day after that.

10. Always Wait Inside The School Grounds For Your Lift To Arrive

As the back-to-school season nears, one of the essential safety tips to consider is always waiting inside the school grounds for your lift to arrive. Standing outside of the school can present an opportunity for strangers to notice your presence and in some cases, even approach you. 

To increase security levels, ensure that your children wait inside designated waiting areas such as school lobbies or pick-up zones. Being prepared ahead of time with a plan will make it easier for you and the school administrators to track where your student is at all times.

Taking the time now to go over these back-to-school safety tips with your child will help ensure their success and happiness throughout their academic journey. With the right preparation, your student can have a positive and memorable experience this year.

Conclusion

Back-to-school season is a busy and exciting time for parents and students. However, it’s also important to remember the importance of safety during this time. By following these 10 back-to-school safety tips, you can help ensure that your child’s academic journey is positive. Always be prepared, practice good driving habits, and always wait for your lift to arrive inside the school grounds. With the proper safety measures in place, you can help ensure that your kids stay safe and secure throughout their academic year.