Head back to school safely

| Safety | Healthy You

Two young boys with backpacks on with sunset in the background

Pay special attention to prevent accidents

Going back to school is an exciting time for kids and families. When their spirits run high, it's easy for youngsters to get distracted, run late and sometimes forget to be careful. And that's when accidents are likely to happen.
 
Because PeaceHealth trauma care providers see the results of far too many accidents, our teams encourage everyone to remember the following safety precautions as the kiddos in our community head back to school:
 

Street safe

  • Take extra care to look out for children in school zones and residential areas, especially when school zone signs are flashing.  
  • Be sure to talk to young children about pedestrian safety before they go back to school.  Very young children should always be accompanied by an adult or trusted older child.

  • Cross only at intersections and crosswalks. Do not run or cross between parked cars and never run onto a street after a ball, pet or any other reason.

  • Always stop and yield to pedestrians in an intersection.

  • Following speed limits will allow you extra time to stop. It can also prevent a hefty fine!

Device use

  • Cellphone use, whether texting, talking, or using apps, is dangerously distracting for anyone who should be keeping their eyes on the road: drivers, bikers and pedestrians.  
  • Avoid using headphones, especially if you’re biking.  It limits your awareness of your surroundings.

Bus and bike pass

  • Never pass a school bus with its lights flashing or any other vehicle stopped for pedestrians.  
  • When turning, look for bike riders from either direction and always yield or wait for them to pass. Be sure to check side mirrors before opening your door.

Getting dark

  • Wear reflective clothing if biking or walking when it is dark.

Teen driving

  • If you have any teen drivers, talk to them about safe driving.  Car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States, and nearly one in four fatal crashes involving teen drivers occur during the after-school hours of 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. 
  • Limit the number of teens in a car. More people results in more distractions. Be sure to observe restrictions on the number of passengers under the age of 20 during the first year of driving.