August marks the return of students to schools and colleges across the country. Students of all ages can enjoy a safe school year by following these safety tips.
- Always use seat belts when riding in vehicles. Ensure younger children are in booster seats or car seats appropriate for their ages.
- Stay seated when riding on a bus. Hold on to handrails when getting on and off a bus.
- When waiting for a bus, stay at least five giant steps (10 feet/3meters) from the curb until the bus has completely stopped.
- Wear a properly fitting helmet when riding bicycles.
- Use crosswalks to cross streets. Always remember to look left-right-left before crossing. (Children under 10 should cross with the assistance of an adult.)
- No pushing or shoving anyone when lining up or playing on school grounds.
- When the fire alarm sounds, follow teacher directions to exit the school and go to the designated meeting place for roll call.
- Look for fully sprinklered housing when choosing a dorm or off-campus housing.
- Dormitories or apartments should have smoke alarms inside each bedroom, outside every sleeping area and on each level.
- Test all smoke alarms at least monthly.
- Never remove batteries or disable smoke alarms.
- Learn the buildingís evacuation plan and practice all drills as if they were the real thing.
- Have a fire escape plan with two ways out of every room.
- When the smoke alarm or fire alarm sounds, get out of the building quickly, and stay out.
- During a power outage, use flashlights for light, not candles.
- Cook only where permitted and never leave cooking unattended.
- Plug surge protectors directly into outlets, not into extension cords.
