Safety Tips for the Back-to-School Season

As children head back to school, they're often filled with a sense of excitement and anticipation—along with a welcome feeling of independence from the homestead.

Along with that newfound independence comes some risks, however. Help keep your kids safe and injury free by sharing these important safety reminders with them, courtesy of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). 

 

Always be alert. 

Remind your child to always be mindful of their surroundings as they're walking to and from school, or while waiting for and exiting from the school bus. Stress the importance of obeying traffic signals, using designated crosswalks and making eye contact with drivers, who may be distracted by their phone, before crossing. Don't hesitate to go back to the basics with your child, no matter how old they are: look left, look right, and look left again before crossing.

 

Backpack strategies. 

Unfortunately, heavy backpacks can be a source of back, neck and shoulder-related pain in children and adults. In fact, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there was an estimated annual average of 1,200 backpack-related injuries to children under 19 years old treated in emergency rooms from 2019-2021. Remind your children of the following backpack best practices:

  • Use both shoulder straps, which will help distribute the weight of the backpack more evenly across your child's back.
  • Make sure the straps are tight enough so that the load your child is carrying is closer to their back. The bottom of the backpack should rest at the waist.
  • Pack heavier items low and towards the center.
  • Pack as lightly as possible, carrying only those items that are required for the day. Leave unnecessary books at home or at school.
  • Teach your child to bend at the knees when picking up their backpack to avoid strain on their back.

 

Mind your phone. 

For older children who have their cell phone in tow, remind them of the dangers of "distracted walking":

  • Don't walk while texting or talking on your phone.
  • When texting, stop and step out of the way of other pedestrians.
  • Never cross the street while using any electronic device.
  • Always be aware of your surroundings, looking up instead of down, especially around curbs, stairs and intersections.
  • Use the sidewalk at all times, but if one isn't available and you must walk on the street, face oncoming traffic.

 

While the above tips may seem like common sense, they are easy to ignore in today's fast-paced world for students. Keeping these simple safety strategies in mind can help prevent your child from an unnecessary accident or injury.

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2024. All rights reserved.

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