Follow these ten tips to keep kids going back to school safe.

August is coming soon and that means it’s back-to-school season. School days bring congestion and traffic, with buses picking up and dropping off students in the morning and afternoon. Many kids are also being picked up and dropped off by hurried parents on their way to work — or going back to work — while some kids are riding their bikes or walking to school.

It’s a lot. When you add all of these factors together, it makes it much more difficult to maintain a safe environment, and much more likely that accidents will happen. Keep your kids – and other kids – safe during the school year with these ten tips from the National Safety Council.

• Make sure you know your schools drop off and pick up procedures. Some schools have procedures that are very specific. This isn’t arbitrary. It’s to keep students safe.  
  
• If you are dropping off do not double park, this blocks visibility for other children.
  
• Don’t load or unload across the street from the school. Your kids will have to cross the street to get to school, which increases the chances for an accident.
  
• Pay attention to school zones and speed limits. You may be in a hurry, but it’s not worth a student’s safety.
  
• Stay alert while in school zones, around buses, playgrounds etc. Kids are unpredictable and tend to ignore any risks or hazards.
  
• Do not block the crosswalk while waiting at a red light or to make a turn. Students need the room to cross the street safely.
  
• Always yield to the pedestrians crossing the road because they have the right of way.

• Never pass a vehicle that has stopped for pedestrians. They’re allowing people to cross that you may not see.
  
• Allow more space behind a school bus than behind a car. Because a bus is much longer, the driver doesn’t have as much visibility.
  
• Don’t pass a school bus that has stopped to load or unload children. Not only is it rude, inconsiderate and dangerous; it’s illegal in all 50 states.
  
  

Safety is never more important than when it comes to kids. Thank you for doing your part to keep students of all ages safe this school year, and all year long.

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