•  Parents should make sure the child knows his or her home phone number and address, parents’ work contact information, how to get in touch with another trusted adult, and how to dial 9-1-1.

• Parents should, also, teach their children not to talk to strangers or accept rides from someone they don’t know.

 If children ride a bus to school:

* They should plan to get to their bus stop early and stand away from the curb while waiting for the bus to arrive.

* Board the bus only after it has come to a complete stop and the driver or attendant has instructed you to get on.

* Only board your bus and never an alternate one.

* Always stay in clear view of the bus driver and never walk behind the bus.

* Cross the street at the corner, obeying traffic signals and staying in the crosswalk.

* Never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.

* If children ride in a car to school, they should always wear a seat belt.

*If a teenager is going to drive to school, parents should mandate that he uses seat belts, does not use a cell phone to text or make calls while driving, and avoid eating or drinking while driving.

* If a student rides his bike to school, he should always wear a helmet and ride on the right in the same direction as the traffic is going.

* If a child is walking to school, he should only cross the street at an intersection. Parents should walk young children and children taking new routes or attending new schools, at least for the first week. Arrange for the kids to walk to school with a friend or classmate.

Drivers:

* Should be aware that children are out walking or biking to school and slow down, especially in residential areas and school zones.

* Should know that the yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is getting ready to stop and the motorists should slow down and be prepared to stop. A red flashing light and an extended stop sign indicate the bus is stopped and children are getting on or off.

* In both directions, drivers must stop their vehicles and wait until the lights go off, the stop sign is back in place, and the bus is moving before they can start driving again.

* Take a Red Cross First Aid and CPR/AED course so you’ll have the knowledge and skill to act if an injury or emergency happens.

Information Courtesy of The Red Cross —  www.redcross.org. Together we can save a life!