Wayne Dennard

ACWORTH

POLICE DEPARTMENT

Back to School Safety Tips

BY WAYNE DENNARD

It’s hard to believe that school already is starting again. This year, our local schools return to in-person learning for all students. It’s been a while since we have had full schools, so I’d like to share some tips for keeping all of our children safe.

As drivers, it is our responsibility to be mindful and protect children as they board and disembark from school buses. As we get back into the swing of things, it is a good time to review the rules of the road relating to school buses. Remember, on a two-lane road, vehicles traveling in both directions must stop when a school bus stops for children. The same is true for multi-lane roads. On a divided highway, with a dirt, grass or a barrier median, only vehicles behind the bus must stop. Even if you are not required to stop, use caution when proceeding.

For students who walk home from school, make sure to choose a safe route for your child, and practice it with them. Also, be sure to talk to your child about strangers. Teach them not to get into any vehicle with someone they don’t know. It is important to ensure that your child knows their parents’ names, addresses and phone numbers. Even if they have a cellphone, they should have phone numbers and addresses memorized.

If your child has a cellphone, it’s a good idea to install an app that will enable you to track your child’s phone and location at all times. If your child returns home from school before the rest of the family, have a routine in place to keep them safe. Make sure they check in with you when they return home. Ensure they lock the front door once they are inside, and that they do not open the door to strangers. Have after-school snacks that don’t require cooking in easy-to-reach places, so kids are able to grab a quick bite safely. Get to know your neighbors, and make sure your children know someone in the neighborhood they can go to for help.

In addition to protecting their physical safety, it is vital that children know how to stay safe online. Remind them never to share their personal information online. Parents should monitor their child’s online activity, as well as who they are communicating with. Caution children against communicating with anyone that they do not know in real life.

Now that school is back in session, please talk to your children about your expectations for their behavior in person and online. Setting clear expectations and boundaries will help to protect them from endangering themselves or others.

Finally, make sure that your child knows they always can call 911 in case of an emergency. Police, fire and emergency service personnel always are there to help.

Wayne Dennard has served as chief since 2012 and has lived in this community for more than 40 years.