Friday, August 22, 2008

Back To School Safety Tips

School is back in session and the Collier County Sheriff’s Office wants parents and kids to talk about ways to stay safe whether it’s on the roads, buses, bikes or sidewalks.

Please review these safety tips with your child:

1. GET ON THE BUS
If you ride the bus to school remember to wait until it comes to a complete stop and look both ways for traffic before you approach it. Students must always be vigilant when traveling to and from school.

2. BE AWARE
If you walk to school make sure you're aware of your surroundings And walk in groups. If a stranger approaches you scream, run and tell an adult what happened. Parents should walk the route with their child at the beginning of the year to familiarize them with it.

3. WEAR A HELMET
If you ride your bike to school remember to wear a helmet and obey all traffic safety laws. Lock your bike when you're not riding it.

4. TRUST A DEPUTY
Always remember that the school resource officer is there to help you. Trust the deputy at your school anytime you have concerns.

5. SAFETY ON THE WEB
Remember that not everyone on the Internet has good intentions. Do not communicate with people you don't know. If you have a Facebook or MySpace page, set it to private so that you know who's looking at your page. Parents should monitor their childrens' Internet use closely to make sure nothing inappropriate is going on.

6. RED MEANS STOP
When it comes to slowing down or stopping for the school bus, motorists should heed the signs. When the yellow lights on the school bus are flashing that’s your sign to slow down. When the red lights on the bus are flashing that’s your sign to stop.

7. ABOVE THE INFLUENCE
Going along with the crowd isn’t always the best decision and can sometimes lead to trouble. Think about the consequences of your actions. If something makes you uneasy, don’t do it just because your friends are.