Back To School Safety Tips

If you are wondering why I share info on my blog sometimes that does not relate to insurance it is simply because I care. I have been in the business of selling people insurance to protect the things that matter most to them for over 25 years now. To me protecting what matters most to you goes beyond your Home Owners Policy, your Auto Policy or your Business Coverage's. I feel sharing safety tips is just one more way I can go above and beyond in protecting you and your loved one's beyond your insurance needs. So here are some back to school safety tips I found online that might be beneficial to you or someone you know who has children headed back to school. I noticed the kids in my area headed back yesterday.

School Zone Driving Safety Tips

• Be on the lookout for school zone signals and ALWAYS obey the speed limits. Here in Az it is 15 mph in school zones.
• When entering a school zone, be sure to slow down and obey all traffic laws.
• Always stop for school busses that are loading or unloading children.
• Watch out for school crossing guards and obey their signals.
• Be aware of and watch out for children near schools, bus stops, sidewalks, in the streets, in school parking lots, etc.
• Never pass other vehicles while driving in a school zone.
• Never change lanes while driving in a school zone.
• Never make U-Turns while driving in a school zone.
• Never text while driving in a school zone.
• Avoid using a cell phone, unless it is completely hands-free, while driving in a school zone.
• Unless licensed to do so, never use handicap or emergency vehicle lanes or spaces to drop off or pick up children at school.

Walking to School

• Leave early enough to arrive at school at least 10 minutes prior to the start of school.
• Use the same route every day and never use shortcuts.
• Go straight home after school. Do not go anywhere else without permission.
• Always use public sidewalks and streets when walking to school.
• Demonstrate traffic safety awareness and pick the safest route between your home and the school and practice walking it with your children.
• Try and walk to school with other students. There is strength in numbers.
• Teach your children to recognize and obey traffic signals, signs, and pavement markings.
• Only cross streets at designated crosswalks, street corners and traffic controlled intersections.
• Always look both ways before crossing the street and never enter streets from between obstacles like parked cars, shrubbery, signs, etc.
• Always walk and never run across intersections.
• Avoid talking to strangers. Teach your children to get distance between themselves and anyone who tries to approach or make contact with them.
• If a stranger does approach your child, make sure they know to immediately report the incident to you or a teacher.
• Teach your children to never get into a vehicle with anyone, even if they know them, without your permission.