Summer break has ended and back-to-school season is in full effect.  For the police department’s school zone officers and school crossing guards, there was heavy traffic, a few new parents finding their way and lots of new school clothes.

Safety should be a priority for every family as children return to classrooms. It is important for parents to stay up-to-date on the proper safety precautions and share this information with their children to keep them safe throughout the school year.

Whether children walk, ride their bicycle or take the bus to school, it is extremely important that they take proper safety precautions.  Here are some tips to make sure your child safely travels to school.

Walking to school

• Walk on the sidewalk, if one is available. When on a street with no sidewalk, walk facing the traffic.
• Before you cross the street, stop and look left, right and left again to see if cars are coming.
• Never dart out in front of a parked car.
• Practice walking to school with your child. Cross streets at crosswalks when available.

Riding a bicycle to school

• Make sure your child always wears his/her helmet when leaving the house.
• Make sure the helmet is fitted and secured properly.
• Teach your children the rules of the road – ride to the right side of the road, with traffic and in a single file; come to a complete stop before crossing the street and walk bikes across the street.

Riding the bus to school

• Go to the bus stop with your child to teach them the proper way to get on and off the bus.
• Make sure your children stand six feet away (or 3 giant steps) from the curb.
• If your child and you need to cross the street in front of the bus, walk on the side of the road until you are 10 feet ahead of the bus. You always should be able to see the bus driver, and the bus driver always should be able to see you.