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For Immediate Release
Friday, August 13, 2004
Children Urged To Be Safe
When Heading Back to School
Contact: Lori Maldonado
Public Information Specialist
(303) 692-2028
DENVER--As children head back to school this year, the biggest test they
face may not be in the classroom, but on the journey to and from school.
That’s why state health officials are encouraging parents and caregivers
to teach and review important safety guidelines that will help children
get back to school safely this fall.
According to state injury prevention specialists, pedestrian injuries are
the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among
children ages 5 to 14. Almost one-fourth of the children between the ages
of 5 and 9 years old killed in traffic crashes were pedestrians.
Barbara Bailey, an injury prevention specialist with the Colorado SAFE
KIDS Coalition, which is based at the Colorado Department of Public Health
and Environment, said, “Whether walking, riding a bicycle, driving with a
parent or catching the bus, there are some crucial safety tips children,
parents and guardians should review. By following these tips, they’ll
ensure a safe, enjoyable start to the school year.”
Bailey offered the following guidelines to assist parents and caregivers
in keeping children safe this back-to-school season.
Walking to School
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Children under 10 should never cross the street alone.
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Parents should choose the safest route to school, and practice walking
it with their children before school begins and until the children
demonstrate traffic safety awareness. Look for the most direct route with
the fewest street crossings. They should take the same route every day and
avoid shortcuts.
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Teach children to recognize and obey all traffic signals and markings. A
flashing "walk" sign is not an automatic "go" signal. It means a
pedestrian has permission to cross, but must first stop and look both ways
for cars.
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Make certain children look in all directions before crossing the street.
Teach them to stop at the curb or edge of the road and to look left, right
and left again for traffic before and while crossing the street.
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Teach children not to enter the street from between parked cars or from
behind bushes or shrubs. Darting into the street accounts for the majority
of child pedestrian fatalities.
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Teach children to cross the street at a corner or a marked crosswalk.
Make sure children allow plenty of time to cross. Teach them to walk, not
run, across intersections. Tell children to obey adult crossing guards or
safety patrols at monitored intersections.
School Bus Safety
Waiting for the Bus
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Arrive at the stop at least five minutes before the bus arrives.
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Stay out of the street.
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Avoid horseplay.
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Cross the street at least 10 feet, or 10 giant steps, in front of the
bus.
Boarding and Leaving the Bus
When boarding or leaving the bus, children should always:
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Walk in a single-file line.
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Use the handrail to avoid falls, and wait until the bus comes to a
complete stop before exiting.
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Wait for parents on the same side of the street as the school bus
loading/unloading zone.
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Be aware of the driver's blind spot when walking away from the bus.
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Remove loose drawstrings or ties on jackets and sweatshirts, and replace
with Velcro, snaps or buttons. Loose drawstrings or book bags can snag on
bus handrails.
On the Bus
While on the bus, children should always:
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Remain seated at all times.
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Keep the aisles clear.
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Do not throw anything.
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Do not shout or distract the driver unnecessarily.
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Keep heads and arms inside the bus at all times.
Riding Bicycles to School
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Wear helmets at all times when bicycling to prevent head injuries, which
are the leading causes of death in bicycle crashes.
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Purchase a helmet that meets U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
safety standards for each child, and make certain that it fits and is worn
correctly every time the child rides his or her bicycle.
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Follow the rules of the road. Children who ride bicycles to school
should be taught to follow the rules of the road that apply to all
vehicles. Ride on the right side of the road, with traffic, not against
traffic; use appropriate hand signals; respect traffic signals; and stop
at all intersections, marked and unmarked.
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Never let children ride on the road without direct adult supervision
until age 10. Cycling should be restricted to sidewalks and paths until a
child is age 10 and able to show how well he or she rides and observes the
basic rules of the road. Parental and adult supervision is essential until
traffic skills and each child reaches judgment thresholds.
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Plan a safe cycling route with your children, and ride it with them.
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Do not ride at night. Children should not be allowed to ride after dark
and should wear retroreflective clothing when biking at dawn, dusk, or
during inclement weather.
Driving Children to School
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Use child safety seats and safety belts correctly every time you and
your children ride. Remain buckled up until exiting the vehicle. Children
who have outgrown a convertible seat should graduate to a booster seat
until the vehicle’s safety belts fit correctly, usually when they are 8
years old or about 80 pounds.
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Allow extra time in the driver’s schedule to avoid
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