School Safety Fundamentals: The Educational Institution Reopens
Dr. Adam Keating, a pediatrician, shares valuable advice for parents and children as they prepare for the new school year. Here are some key safety tips to keep in mind:
School Bus Safety
When it comes to school bus safety, it's essential to follow some simple rules. The driver can't see directly in front of or behind the flixbus, so it's crucial to stay back from the curb and not run or play at the bus stop. Additionally, avoid bending over in front of or behind a bus.
Health Precautions
Maintaining good health is crucial for a successful school year. Dr. Keating recommends regular pediatrician checkups for growth and development, screenings, mental health, and social situations. Keeping up-to-date on vaccinations is also important, with vaccines like Meningococcal, Tdap, and HPV recommended at certain ages.
Basic hand washing is important for preventing illness, and not touching your eyes, nose, and mouth as much as possible decreases the risk of transmitting respiratory viruses. If your child has a serious condition like epilepsy or diabetes, consider purchasing a medical alert necklace or bracelet.
General Safety Tips
Dr. Keating advises children to be aware of their surroundings and to follow playground or facility rules. Check equipment before you play on it, and play on equipment as directed. For teen drivers, safety tips include knowing the graduated driver's license (GDL) laws in your state, being a good role model, preventing drowsy driving, and allowing them to opt out.
Transportation Safety
Transportation safety tips include never approaching a stopped car, using the buddy system, having a pick-up password, and staying alert. Pedestrian safety tips include not hitchhiking, agreeing on the route ahead of time, making a contingency plan, and locating trusted adults.
Bicycle safety tips include choosing a safe route to and from school, practicing bike safety, inspecting the bike regularly, and wearing a helmet.
Backpack Safety
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a child's backpack should weigh no more than 15% of their weight. Remove accessories that can cause injuries, and consider using a reusable water bottle and hand sanitizer.
Communication and Emergency Preparedness
If your child is responsible for getting to and from school, they should have a way of communicating with parents and emergency services. If your child has a health condition that requires them to take prescription medications during school hours or a condition that could require emergency medication, have a conversation with your pediatrician.
Illness Prevention
Keep kids home when they're sick, especially if they have a fever, a contagious condition like the common cold or hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), or a bacterial infection like strep throat. It's important to clean surfaces regularly and avoid sharing food and drink to avoid getting sick with conditions like norovirus, pink eye (conjunctivitis), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Masking and Vaccines
It's a good idea to consider masking if your child is returning to school after any respiratory infection, not just COVID-19. Dr. Keating urges children and parents to get the flu (influenza) vaccine every year. Certain schools or local governments may require additional vaccines.
Resources
The CDC has a free printable backpack emergency card kit, which can be helpful in case of emergencies. If your child has sickle cell disease, they may be urged to get additional pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) after age 2.
Dr. Keating recommends the following items for children to have on hand during the school day: tissues, a mask or face covering, a reusable water bottle, and hand sanitizer. Using the crook of the elbow, not hands, to cover the mouth can help prevent spreading germs.
By following these safety tips, parents and children can help ensure a safe and successful school year.
