24 Back-to-School Safety Tips for Parents & Students

Now that autumn is here and kids are back to school, family life can become hectic! However, the National Safety Council (NSC) emphasizes  that back-to-school safety must always be a priority, no matter how hectic things get, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) agrees.

From staying safe while walking to school to being alert near the school bus to protecting themselves on school grounds, back-to-school safety must be top of mind for students, parents, and communities. 

Back-to-School Safety Tips for Students

There are hundreds of tips, suggestions, and good ideas that students can follow to stay safe and have a great year at school with their friends and teachers. We’ve picked out a few of the best ones here to share below:

1. Never walk around distracted by your phone, and pay attention to where you’re walking
2. Don’t wear necklaces or big jewelry to school, especially if you will be in gym class or on playgrounds
3. Don’t use a rolling backpack on wheels; they can trip someone in the halls
4. If you drive to school, sign the New Driver Deal and always drive carefully
5. If you catch the bus, stay back three giant steps from the curb at all times
6. Always report any scary or threatening behavior or words to a trusted adult
7. When walking to get on the bus, you and the bus driver should always be able to see each other
8. If you ride your bike, wear a proper helmet and ride on the right side of the road with traffic
9. On your bike, come to a complete stop before crossing the street
10. Never play, push, or mess around when you are near traffic
11. Pay attention when fire drills or other emergency practices happen
12. Find ways to include students who look like they could use a friend

Back-to-school safety tips for students can make all the difference to children during school, during after-school activities, and on the way to and from school. 

Back-to-School Safety Tips for Parents

Parents have an enormous opportunity to set the tone and the safety protocol for the school year. The following safety tips only take a few moments for parents to implement and will fit into their hectic schedules. 

1. Review safety rules about body autonomy with your child
2. Talk to your student about internet safety and the importance of not giving out personal information online
3. Review crosswalk safety, bike riding safety, and driving safety as is appropriate for your child
4. Review the school’s safety rules and procedures with your child
5. Parents should check their child’s backpacks to make sure they are only bringing appropriate items to school
6. Talk with your child about the importance of taking practice drills seriously
7. Encourage your child to be inclusive with students who look like they could use a friend
8. Go slow and pay attention when driving your child to school
9. Obey the school’s pick-up and drop-off procedure
10. Set a good example for your children when driving in school zones
11. If your child plays sports, some bruises and bumps are expected, but the NSC advises that you never ignore head injuries
12. Stay aware of what your child is doing in school and ask them questions to show interest in their well-being

The Importance of Following School Safety Tips 

Many school-related injuries are preventable, and following safety rules can ensure that students are able to grow and flourish at school, just as they deserve to. 

When schools cultivate a healthy learning environment that is safe, caring, accepting, and empathetic, children can learn better and grow stronger mentally, emotionally, and physically.

One of the most powerful ways to foster a safe and healthy learning environment is to implement Rachel’s Challenge in your school. 

Rachel’s Challenge offers a variety of programs, videos, resources, and assemblies that drive home important facts, ideas, inspirations, and motivations for making schools safe and happy. These products and services can have a significant impact on the overall health, safety, and well-being of students.

To learn more about Rachel’s Challenge or to schedule a presentation at your school, contact the team today!