Guess what’s back? If you said “school,” you just got a 100 on your first quiz of the academic year. Here’s an A-to-Z guide of ways students of all ages – and our community – can stay safe.
Alert
Traffic changes, buses stop us, and there are more people on sidewalks and school zones that were quiet for the past three months. Expect these things and be alert to your surroundings.
Bus
Penalties for motorists breaking the law around school buses have gone up recently – for good reason. Here’s a helpful breakdown of different types of roads and how to treat school buses.
Cyclists
For children who ride bikes to school, there’s much to keep in mind. Motorists must anticipate bicyclists in the roadway. Children should know all the rules of the road and always plan for oblivious drivers.
Driving
Driving is dangerous and even worse when there are more elements in motion. Recognize if you’re feeling rushed, frustrated, distracted or fatigued and pause to reset your focus on driving.
Enter
Enter or Exit - take note of where exits are located whenever you enter a new classroom or any space is a good life-long practice. For Emergencies that may happen, it’s Excellent to be aware of your options.
Fire
Schools cover it extensively and hold fire drills, but fire safety at home is an ideal way to ensure children understand fire risks and for your family to review where your operating fire extinguishers are located.
Green
Forest bathing, a phrase used to capture the physical and emotional benefits of being in nature, reminds us to support sustainability. It’s good to care for the Florida water and lands we enjoy.
Heat
At Peoples Gas we teach team members in critical frontline roles about how to avoid heat illness. Children are a high-risk group and need to know the symptoms too.
Informed
There are hundreds of public agencies, community groups and healthcare providers that offer first aid and emergency training. Get informed and participate. Immediate response to emergencies can save lives.
Jump
Maybe you aren’t ready to catch air in the birthday bounce house, but embracing a mindset of exercise in yourself can inspire it within children. It’s also good generally to look before you leap.
Know
Have the conversation about how loved ones can reach you if needed. The school season reminds us to renew this practice with our children, nieces and nephews, or children of a friend or neighbor.
Look
School is often the place where sight challenges emerge. Annual eye exams are an important part of overall health and well-being.
Mind
When it comes to helmets or protective gear, it might not be a good time to use that family hand-me-down. New technologies, research and innovations are reducing brain injury risk factors. Understand the risks.
Nutrition
Nuts! It seems too simple but eating nutritious food keeps you healthier and supports your best life.
Outside
Sunscreen by day. Reflective gear at night. Insect repellent for dusk and dawn. Always.
Phones
Cell phones are helpful for keeping children and parents connected. But there are downsides. Give careful consideration to when and how to empower young people with phones.
Quality
Time and talk with teens can seem challenging but they don’t have to be impossible.
Rain
Backpacks should include rain gear like a poncho or umbrella. Talk to children about storm safety and the hazards of walking in flood waters.
Strangers
As this article points out, we can’t expect children to automatically recognize threats in the form of strangers.
Time
With school in session, it helps to build extra time into our mornings, knowing that traffic will be heavier. Feeling rushed leads to accidents. Time awareness is a good thing to nurture in children as well.
Understanding
Compassion and care for others are behaviors you can model for your children.
Vital
Understanding natural gas safety is vital and can save lives. Natural gas is colorless and odorless, so Peoples Gas adds a “rotten egg” odor to detect leaks. If you smell gas, evacuate immediately, call 911, and then contact our 24/7 hotline at 877-832-6747.
Walking
Children ages four to seven are the most frequent fatal victims of school bus accidents. Drivers trying to go around the bus and distracted walking by excited children waiting on the bus are causes.
X-tra
Credit if you made it this far. Great job!
Youngsters
Often and unfortunately, deal with bullying. There are good resources for helping with many social distresses that children experience. Know what you can do to help.
Zzzzzz
Were you sleeping during this blog post? Practice sleep routines like avoiding digital devices before bedtime. Establish relaxing traditions with your children and everyone will sleep better.
Together, we can create a safer environment for everyone. Let’s make this school year the safest one yet!
