Safe Back to School Tips for Students and Families

Last Updated on August 24, 2020 by Ellen Christian

Take time to discuss these safe back to school tips with your kids before the school year begins. As parents, we focus on back to school purchases like clothes, backpacks and school supplies. But, being ready for back to school also involves talking to our kids about health and safety. This is often overlooked in the business of back to school time.

Safe Back to School Tips

Whether your kids are five or fifteen and they get on the bus or walk to school, there are still school safety tips for students that you should discuss with them. Children often don’t see dangers the way that we do. So, don’t assume that your child will recognize a dangerous situation when they see one. Discuss these safe back to school tips with them today.

Walking to school

Walk the route to and from school with your children, pointing out landmarks and safe places to go if they’re being followed or need help. If your children ride a bus, visit the bus stop with them to make sure they know which bus to take.

Remind kids to take a friend whenever they walk or bike to school. And, remind them to stay with a group if they’re waiting at the bus stop. Caution children never to accept a ride from anyone unless you have told them it is OK to do so in each instance.

Take your child’s photo with your cell phone every day before leaving for school. This will capture any outfit specifics/hairstyle details, should the need for recollection occur if something happens. Help your children learn to recognize and avoid potential risks, so that they can deal with them if they happen.

Neighborhood safety

Take your children on a walking tour of the neighborhood and tell them whose homes they may visit without you. Teach your children to ask permission before leaving home. Be sure to tell your children to check in with you if there is a change of plans. Remind your children not to walk or play alone outside.

Teach your children to never approach a vehicle, occupied or not unless they know the owner and are accompanied by a parent, guardian, or other trusted adult. Practice “what if” situations and ask your children how they would respond. “What if you fell off your bike and you needed help? Who would you ask?”

Personal safety

Remind your children it’s OK to say NO to anything that makes them feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused and teach your children to tell you if anything or anyone makes them feel this way. Teach your children that if anyone tries to grab them, they should make a scene and make every effort to get away by kicking, screaming, and resisting. This book is a great way to approach this topic with a younger child.

Safety away from home

During family outings, establish a central, easy-to-locate spot to meet for check-ins or should you get separated. Teach your children how to locate help at theme parks, sports stadiums, shopping malls, and other public places. Also, identify those people who they can ask for help, such as uniformed law enforcement, security guards and store clerks with name tags.

Safety at school

You cannot assume that your school will be a safe place for your child to be. While it should be and often will be, there are often dangers at school. Discuss with your school about their programs to deal with bullying and threats. Make sure that you understand the school safety tips for teachers and administrators so you know what to expect. If there is a back to school safety presentation at your school be sure that you and your child attend it.

If your neighborhood doesn’t have a crosswalk or a neighborhood watch program, consider getting together with your neighbors to put one in place. Now would also be a great time to discuss back to school safety tips for drivers.

Check out this back to school checklist for a few other things to take care of while you get organized for back to school. Don’t forget these healthy tips for back to school. Do you have any other safe back to school tips?