A refresher course in school bus safety
The dawn of a new school year is a time marked by change and fresh opportunities. For many children, school
are away from their parents for an extended period of time. It also may be
a vehicle other than their parents’ cars.
Each school day, 25 million children ride a bus to school in the United States. A school bus is among the safest modes of transport and one of the most regulated vehicles on the road, according to the National Highwaytration.
Riding a school bus can be a novel experience no matter a student’s age or grade. Kindergarteners may be introduced to the day of school, while older students are no doubt familiar with life inside a school bus. But all students and families can -
er course on school bus procedures to ensure this school year begins on safe footing.
• Be a smart pedestrian. Riding the school bus is very safe, but injuries can occur walking to and from the bus stop. Watch for cars backing out of driveways and always look both ways multiple times before crossing streets.
• Remember school bus laws. Most areas of the country have specific school bus laws that include stopping when the school bus. Cars must stop whether they’re behind the school bus, next to it or on the opposite side of the street facing the bus. Stopping allows passengers to enter or exit the bus safely.
• Stand away from the curb. The National Safety Council advises keeping six feet, or three giant steps, away from the curb while waiting for the bus. Young children should be carefully supervised.
• Be visible. Always cross in front of the bus, making eye contact with the driver so that he or she knows your intentions before crossing. If you drop something, do
not bend down to pick it up. Tell the driver instead.
• Remain seated. Find a seat promptly and remain seated for the duration of the ride. Do not stand up and proceed down the center aisle until the bus has stopped.
• Minimize distrac-
tions. Always speak softly and behave so that you do not distract the driver.
School buses are very safe vehicles, but passengers need to do their part to avoid injury.
How to create safer communities for kids
Various factors combine to make communities great places to be. If asked to describe an ideal community, individuals’ answers would undoubtedly be as unique as the respondents themselves. However, safety is one attribute that would be at or near the top of most people’s lists regardless of their additional preferences.
Communities in which parents feel safe raising children are generally safe for anyone. Such towns and cities are often a byproduct of collective effort on the part of lawmakers, law enforcement and, of course, residents. There may not be a one-
building safe communities for children, but these strategies are among those that have proven successful in the past.
• Build partnerships across various sectors.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation notes that community safety and early childhood development practitioners use various approaches in their work. That underscores the importance of building partnerships that include representatives from various sectors, including community development, criminal justice, education, employment, and health care. By working together, these sectors can develop a shared understanding of the role each plays in building safe communities. Individual citizens working within these sectors can reach out to fellow professionals and begin laying a foundation in their communities.
• Encourage input from a diverse array of citizens. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes the importance
of seeking input and leadership from a diverse group of citizens. This is a great way for all citizens to share their lived experiences and provides an avenue for individuals to identify grievances and discover common goals.
Community leaders, lawmakers and law enforcement can work together to establish a process and structure for providing input. Once established, promote that process so all community members recognize they have a readily available avenue through which to share their comments and concerns.
• Keep things simple. The CDC urges individuals and organizations tasked with developing initiatives to build safer communities to keep their messages simple and straightforward. This ensures that messages can be clearly and consis-
tently communicated to many different audiences.
• Identify potential hurdles. The CDC notes that advance planning to address potential hurdles is vital to ensuring widespread acceptance of new approaches and policies. Analysis should include
consideration of why safety issues were not already a local priority and how the barriers to a safe community have not been overcome in the past. Politics, funding shortfalls are potential hurdles that communities may need
to clear en route to building safer communities for kids.
Communities that are safe for kids are a worthy goal that can be achieved through effective collaboration.
Cyber safety is important for every grade
People rely on the internet every day. In recent months, reliance on digital technology was pushed even further as social distancing measures had the world going online for school and work and to maintain relationships with friends and family.
A 2018 report from Pew Research Center indicated that nearly 25 percent of young adults in America reported being online almost constantly. Common Sense Media says teens spend an average of nine hours a day online, compared to roughly six hours for those between
the ages eight and 12 and 50 minutes for kids younger than eight.
Students must exercise caution when spending time online. Connectivity can be empowering, but it also puts students at risk from others and even their own, sometimes irresponsible behaviors. Staying safe online should remain a priority for students who must spend more time on the internet and using digital education tools. These are some tips for maintaining cyber safety.
• Exercise caution when sharing information like your name, ad-
dress, phone number, and other personal data online. Check with a trusted parent or teacher before sharing private data.
• Report any online activity that makes you feel uncomfortable, scared or confused, whether it is directed at you or a classmate.
• Think carefully before you post comments online. Data remains online words and actions today can greatly affect your future.
• Respect others online by refraining from demeaning or bullying comments.
• Do not try to get blocked websites set up by school administrators. These limitations are there for your protection.
• Stick to school-sanctioned assignments and internet browsing when using school-issued devices. Administrators may have the right to monitor student activity without students’ knowledge and you can easily get yourself in trouble.
• It is easy to hide or fake one’s identity on the internet, so never take someone you meet or speak with online at face value. Never meet up
with someone you do not know or only met online.
• Talk to your parents or educators about extortion and ransomware that tries to trick you into providing payment in some shape or form to prevent a perpetrator from releasing private information about you, advises the Readiness and Emergency for Schools Technical Assistance Center. Various steps can be taken to promote cyber safety among students, parents and administrators.
Alcohol and teenagers are a poor mix
Most countries in the world have established a minimum legal drinking age. Legal drinking ages are implemented to reduce the number of alcohol-related accidents and also to contribute to better overall health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The United States has a Minimum Legal Drinking Age (MLDA) of 21 everywhere except Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The MLDA in each of those places is 18.
Canada’s MLDA was 20 or 21 in the 1970s, and then lowered to either 18 or
19 to align more closely with the age of maturity. However, increased alcohol consumption by teens prompted certain provinces to increase the age to 19. The MLDA in Canada remains 19 for all provinces and territories, with the exception of Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec, where the MLDA is 18. Elsewhere around the world the average age to purchase alcohol is 18, although not every country restricts the age at which alcohol can be consumed.
Health experts warn that underage drinking is a major health concern. The
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism says alcohol is the most widely used substance among America’s youth and can lead to enormous safety and health risks. Teens who drink with frequency can set themselves up for a host of negative outcomes.
• Alcohol is a depressant, which means it slows the functions of the central nervous system and can actually block some messages from reaching the brain. That can alter a person’s perceptions, emotions and movement, says Nemours TeensHealth.
• Youth who drink may have higher rates of absences or lower grades in school.
• Alcohol usage over time can lead to of participation in youth activities.
• Consuming too much alcohol may lead teens to experience physical issues like hangovers.
• The CDC says alcohol can disrupt normal growth or sexual development.
• The CDC indicates frequent alcohol use among teens can contribute to in-
creased risk of suicide and homicide.
• Underage binge drinking is associated with a higher risk of being the victim or perpetrator of interpersonal violence, which includes physical or sexual assault, according to a study published in 2019 in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence.
• The brain keeps developing into one’s 20s. Alcohol can alter development, potentially affecting the brain’s structure and function.
• Research shows that those who start drinking before the age of 15 are at a higher risk for developing alcohol use disorder later in life.
• Alcohol use can lower inhibitions, which can cause teens to make poor and risky decisions, like engaging in illegal activity or unprotected sexual relations.
Drinking at an early age and doing so frequently during the teenage years can set individuals on a course for health, developmental and even legal repercussions.
Stay safe around the pool and spa
Warm weather often leads to more time spent outdoors. For homeowners lucky to have a backyard pool, hot tub or community water amenities, these spots can be great for relaxing, cooling off, exercising, or spending enjoyable times with family and friends.
While pools and spas are ideal spots for family fun, they’re not without their dangers. The American Red Cross warns that 69 percent of young children who drown were not expected to be in or near water. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death among children between the ages of one and four. However, anyone can drown or suffer a wa-
ter-related injury — even people who are strong swimmers. Let’s dive deep into pool-related dangers and how to avoid them.
Pool chemical injuries
Pools and spas need to be sanitized for safe use. Mishandling pool chemicals can cause serious injuries and leads to roughly 4,500 emergency room visits in the United States each year, says the CDC. More than onethird of these preventable injuries affect children or teens. All product instructions should be followed carefully. Chemicals should be stored out of reach of children or pets. Ample time should be left between adding chemicals and swimmers
returning to the water.
Stay away from drains
Children and adults should not swim or hang
returns. Hair, limbs, jewelery, bathing suits, and more can be sucked into these openings and cause serious injuries, according to PoolSafely.gov.
around near drains or suction outlets in pools and spas. In addition, drain covers should be installed over all drains and
Supervision is key Swimmers should not venture into the water without a buddy pres-
ent and children should never be left unattended around the water. Homeowners can install safety fencing and self-latching gates around pools to prevent youngsters from wandering into the water. All items that can be used to climb fencing should be kept away from the pool. Consider putting locks on gates on fences around the perimeter of the yard. This way no one can wander into the yard and into the pool when homeowners are not home.
Dive safely
No one should ever dive into shallow water, advises Poolonomics. Water depth should be tested prior to any diving, and generally pools with depths of eight feet and up are considered safe for
diving. Do not dive into inner tubes or into shallow ends or spas. When jumping into the doing cannonballs. Avoid the back, which can injure the spine.
Teach kids to swim
Swimming knowledge can keep children more secure in the water. Basic competence of simple swimming strokes may help to avoid drowning. Relying on water wings or
not U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets can be risky.
Summertime is pool and spa time. Safety is paramount around the water.
Participating in youth sports can be a great way for children to develop various interpersonal skills and stay active. Routine physical activity is part of a healthy lifestyle, which can help reduce the rates of obesity and overweight among modern youths. However, participation in sporting activities is not without risk. It falls on coaches, leagues and parents to make youth sports as safe as possible for these
Making youth sports safer for athletes
young athletes.
According to Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, more than 3.5 million children ages 14 and younger get hurt each year while playing sports or participating in recreational activities.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports high school athletes account for an estimated two million injuries, half a million doctor visits and 30,000 hospitalizations each year. A
2011 study of Canadian youth published in Science Direct found that 66 percent of injuries among young people between the ages of 12 and 19 were sports-related. In the face of such data, parents may be left wondering what can be done to reduce injuries.
Cross train for overuse injury prevention
The Canadian Strength & Conditioning Associ-
ation says overtraining may be one contributor to these injuries. Overuse injuries involve repetitive strain placed on bones, tendons and ligaments, which differ from acute injuries that occur during a traumatic event. A 2009 study from the American College of Sports Medicine found the number of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions performed on children between the ages of three and 20 in New York increased by 100 percent between 1990 and 2009. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia says ACL tears in children are not typically common compared to all injuries they suffer. However, they are more prevalent among youths who participate in organized sports that involve a lot of running, jumping, twisting, and pivoting. Children need to take breaks from sports to allow their bodies to recover and to incorporate variety into their activities through cross training to avoid repetitive strain on one area of the body. In addition,
muscles that have had the chance to warm up are less vulnerable to overuse injuries.
Use proper technique
It is essential that young athletes be schooled in the proper techniques when engaging in physical activity. Coaches should make sure that athletes are employing the proper techniques before sending them into games.
Get the proper equipment
Protective equipment, such as helmets, pads, shoes, and more, are vital for injury prevention and should never be overlooked.
Listen to your body
Young athletes should not be advised to play through pain. Doing so can exacerbate any injuries and lead to more damage that may sideline an athlete for a long time, says Johns Hopkins Medicine. Less focus on being the best at all costs from coaches and parents may remove the pressure to play no matter what.
Although there is some risk of injury when playing sports, young athletes can reduce their chances of getting hurt if they are smart about sports play.
How to spot signs of cyberbullying
Despite its relative infancy, the internet has become so prevalent in daily life that it’s hard to imagine a time when it wasn’t so widely available. Yet that time wasn’t so long ago. In fact, many adults who are now entering or in middle-age made it through their secondary educations without the internet. That’s not so for today’s students, and that divide can some-
parents to spot signs that their children are victims of cyberbullying.
Cyberbullying refers to the use of electronic communication to bully a person, typically by sending intimidating and/or threatening messages. These messages may be sent in various ways, including through apps or via social media platforms. According to StopBullying.gov, a website managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, research has shown that a quick and consistent response to bullying is an effective way to convey that such behavior is un-
acceptable. But parentsnize signs of cyberbullying, which is not always as easy to spot as other bullying behaviors.
The Anti-Defamation League notes that hateful words and rumors are often a component of cyberbullying. In such instances, that abuse can follow young people home, giving them the idea that the bullying is inescapable. In decades past, bullying victims could at least see their homes as safe havens. That’s no longer the case, which is why it’s vital that parents learn to recognize the signs of cyberbullying.
Young people may exhibit their own unique symptoms if they’re being victimized by cyberbullies. In addition, the ADL notes that parents can look for these signs and then take immediate action if they suspect their children are being cyberbullied.
• A child becomes upset, sad or angry during or after being online or using their phone.
• A child withdraws
from family or friends.
• A child expresses reluctance or refuses to participate in activities previously enjoyed.
• A child has an unexplained decline in grades.
• A child refuses to go to school or expresses anger or dissatisfaction with a general.
• A child increasingly reports symptoms of illness for which he or she wants to stay at home.
• A child shows signs of depression or sadness.
The ADL urges parents who see any of these signs to respond to them immediately. Take a
gentle, supportive tone during any discussions with children, making sure to express your concerns while also listening to the child when he or she explains what is so upsetting.
Parents who have con-
child is a victim of cyberbullying should contact their children’s school immediately. More information about how to respond to cyberbullying and prevent its recurrence is available at www. StopBullying.gov.
How to teach kids about emergency preparedness
Emergency preparedness is something everyone in the household should learn, including children. But approaching the topic of emergencies with youngsters reare capable of comprehending many things, especially when information is presented in age-appropriate ways.
The American Redents narrow down the subject matter when discussing disasters and emergency readiness with kids. Parents and caregivers can start by determining which disasters are most common where they live. There’s no need to broach hypothermia safety, for example, if the family resides in a warm climate. Another good step is to speak with schools
out how they handle the subject of emergencies, and then reinforce those lessons at home.
The local library may have books in their children’s section and there are plenty of online resources that address safety skills and emergency preparedness in language that children can understand. In addition, the mobile apps designed to teach and reinforce important safety skills in informative but fun ways. For example, the Monster Guard app is geared toward kids between the ages of seven and 11 who are asked to join the Monster Guard and prepare for real-life emergencies at home and in other environments.
derstand everything that goes into preparing for
It’s not long before newborns who need their parents to cater to their every need become toddlers who can’t wait to go exploring on their own. The curiosity can come quickly, which underscores how important it is for parents to childproof their homes.
tial in the nursery where children tend to spend much of their time, but it’s necessary elsewhere in the house as well. The
Angeles says fractures are the most common in-
an emergency, but they may be more inclined to get involved if they are given tasks they can han-
to grade 2 can learn how to dial 9-1-1 or practice “Stop! Drop! And Roll!” safety techniques. Older children can be tasked with making emergency supplies shopping lists and helping to put away these items, or working with parents to devise a home evacuation plan.
Practice makes perfect, and once families determine which emergency plans they should put into effect, they can role play with children to help make sure that everyone recognizes what to do in the case of an actual emergency. Important phone numbers can be posted in a key location (and programmed into mobile phones), and
children should know what to do in the event they get separated from their guardians during a weather situation or
-
dren also can help pack go bags with key items they don’t want to part with should they need to evacuate home due to a weather emergency.
volved in emergency preparedness by working through topics they can understand and explore.
juries among infants and toddlers as they develop a sense of curiosity and mouth/tooth injuries are some additional injuries curious kids may suffer during this period in their checklist can help reduce the risk of injury.
• Follow United States regulations, which inmattress and slats that inches apart.
bon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors on every story of the house and check batteries in detectors frequently.
niture edges and corners with safety padding or specialty bumpers.
• Block all open outlets with outlet covers or safety plugs.
• Place lockable covers on the garbage.
• Install stove knob covers.
• Use latches on any drawers, toilets, doors, or cabinets within the child’s reach.
• Anchor heavy furniture, such as televisions, bookshelves and dressers, to the walls.
• Install safety guards on windows.
• Pull the crib away from other furniture.
• Install a temperature guard on the water heater and never set it above 120 F.
• Use cordless window blinds.
• Place gates at the top and bottom of stairs and use them to prevent access to rooms that are off limits.
• Store cleaning supplies, tools and breakable items out of reach or in a locked cabinet.
• When the child reaches 35 inches in height or can climb out of the crib, it’s time to transition to a toddler bed. or other furniture with spring-loaded hinges.
• Do not hang heavy wall art or shelving over cribs.
• Inspect the home for protruding nails, bolts or other hardware that can cause injury. These are some child-
ents can implement to keep kids safe. Parents can customize childproofing plans based on their needs and the designs of a pediatrician for other tips on making a home safe for young children.
FIND WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR
pipes, etc., with protective materials. and be sure to have paint tested for lead.
