Safety Tip: Back to school

August begins a new school year for kids in the Falcon area. The Falcon Fire Protection District wants to remind drivers to watch out for children who may not be watching out for them.

• Put down the phone! Drivers should always focus on safely operating their vehicles, not texts or phone calls.
• Obey speed limits, especially in school zones.
• Pay attention to bus signals. In Colorado, it is illegal to pass a stopped school bus loading or unloading children.
• Yield to pedestrians.

Parents should teach children of all ages:

• How to safely cross streets by always looking both ways and using crosswalks
• Not to run between parked cars into the street
• Wear helmets while riding bicycles, scooters or skateboards

For young adults heading off to college, the National Fire Protection Association recommends selecting fully sprinklered dorms or off-campus housing. Make sure dormitories and apartments have working smoke alarms inside each bedroom, outside every sleeping area and on each level. Campus Firewatch (http://campus-firewatch.com/) is a good online resource for campus fire safety checklists, videos and information.Falcon firefighters want to wish all students a safe and fun school year!Stay connected with the FFPDWebsite: http://falconfirepd.orgFacebook: Falcon Fire DepartmentTwitter: @FalconFireDept