Back-To-School Safety Tips

With the summer season coming to a close, millions of children are preparing to start school. This critical transition, however, can result in injury if certain precautions are not taken. So if you have a child who's currently in school or about to start, check out some of the back-to-school safety tips listed below.

The National Safety Council (NSC), advises parents to use caution when taking their child to and from the bus stop. If your child rides the bus, make sure you are there to take him or her off each school day. Forcing your child to walk from the bus stop to home by his or herself is dangerous and could result in injury.

Don't assume that driving your child to and from school is any safer. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), riding the bus to school is 13 times safer than riding in a passenger vehicle, and it's also 10 times safer than walking to school. Those are some pretty eye-opening figures that attest to the safety of bus commutes for children.

Ever get a chance to feel your child's backpack once it's loaded down with all of their academic books and supplies? It's not uncommon for backpacks to weigh 30 or more pounds, which can place stress on a young child's still-developing bones.

To reduce the risk of injury, it's recommended that parents choose a backpack that distributes the weight evenly throughout their child's back. Opting for a cheap backpack may save you a couple of bucks, but it places your child at greater risk of injury.

If your child has any special health conditions, illnesses or other concerns, make sure that both his or her teacher and the school nurse are aware of them.

The NSC is currently promoting a campaign to raise awareness for back-to-school safety The organization issued the following statement on its website:

"We are pleased to once again to partner with the National Safety Council to highlight back to school safety," said Gary Catapano, senior vice president of safety for First Student. "Getting students to and from school safely is a top priority for parents and caregivers. The safety information provided during this campaign allows students, parents and motorists to see the critical role they play in the process."

Have any other back-to-school safety tips you'd like to share with our readers? We'd love to hear them in the comments section below!