Whatever method of travel your child takes to get to school, it’s important that they are safe and that they (and you!) are aware of how to travel safely to school. Here are some tips for parents with our list of 21 School Safety Rules for Kids Parents Shouldn’t Ignore:

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It’s a good idea to sit down with your child and discuss these safety tips and concerns. Even if they are old enough to travel to school alone, or are sensible when it comes to safety issues, reminding everyone of your family’s rules and choices is a good starting point.

Whether your child travels by bike, bus, car or on foot, these safety rules for kids travelling to and from school will help to protect your child.

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Safety Rules for Kids Walking to School

#1. Wearing dark clothes

Make sure your child wears some sort of reflective gear especially if walking in winter time when it’s usually darker or on more rural roads

#2. Letting Younger Children Walk Unattended

Hold your younger child’s hand while you walk the route using pavements, sidewalks or paths where possible. If there are no safe paths, then walk facing traffic.

#3. Crossing Between Cars

Teach your children to cross at safe crossings, not between parked cars.

#4. Not Looking and Listening Before Crossing the Road

Remember the Safe Cross Code/Green Cross Code, stop – look – listen – wait

#5. Don’t Be Distracted When Crossing the Road

Talk about the importance of not using headphones, mobile phone or texting while crossing the road.

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Safety Rules for Kids Driving to School

#6. Incorrect Restraints in the Car

Always buckle up and make sure kids are restrained in the back of the car in appropriate seating for their height and weight. In Ireland, according to the Road Safety Authority all children under 150cms in height or 36kgs (79lbs) in weight must use a child restraint system (CRS) such as a child car seat or booster cushion suitable for their height and weight while travelling in a car.

In the UK, the law requires all children travelling in the front or rear seat of any car, van or goods vehicle must use the correct child car seat until they are either 135 cm in height or 12 years old (which ever they reach first). After this they must use an adult seat belt. It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that children under the age of 14 years are restrained correctly in accordance with the law.

You can view the state by state laws for the United States on the AAA Website.

#7. Kids Opening Doors or Windows

Make sure they can’t open doors and windows while you are driving. Most rear doors have a child safety lock button on the door. And window locks on more recent cars are controlled by the driver. We usually have our back windows locked because of our dog never mind the kids!

#8. Leaving Kids Unattended in the Car

As tempting as it may be not to have to get everybody out the car, do not leave kids alone in the vehicle, even for a brief period.

#9. Parking Across the Road From School

Collect your children and drop them on the school side of the road whenever possible, rather than on the opposite side where they might be tempted to run over to you.

#10. Adding to the Parking Chaos at School

Always park safely, most schools will suggest where parents should park or more importantly, where not to park. As schools can get very busy with cars and buses, consider parking safely a little further away and walking the rest of the way, it’ll give your child some exercise too!

#11. Ignoring Officials

Always follow advice from traffic or school wardens. They are there to help everyone get to school safely.

#12. Ignoring Cyclists

Make sure to give cyclists plenty of room as you pass them and remember cyclists can wobble, particularly young ones.

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Safety Rules for Kids on the School Bus

#13. Trying to Board the Bus Before It has Stopped

Make sure your child waits in a safe spot for the bus to arrive and that they wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before they get on or off.

#14. Not Being Mindful Climbing On and Off

Teach them to take care when climbing off and on the bus.

#15. Standing on the Bus

Remind them to stay seated and belted while the bus journey takes place.

#16. Crossing Behind the Bus

If your child needs to cross the street after exiting the bus, he or she should take five giant steps in front of the bus, make eye contact with the bus driver and cross when the driver indicates it’s safe. Never walk behind the bus.

#17. Strewing Their Belongings About the Bus

Teach your child to tuck their bag under the seat in front and to pay attention to the driver’s instructions.

Safety Rules for Kids Cycling to School

#18. Cycling Unaccompanied When Too Young

Kids under 12 should be accompanied by an adult as research has shown they don’t necessarily have the skills or experience or judgement to be safe in traffic alone.

#19. Cycling on the Road

Use cycle paths where possible. Although footpaths are for pedestrians and cyclists are not supposed to go on them, I personally think it’s safer to have a child cycle on a footpath than on the road. If I’m cycling with my child, I go on the road alongside them cycling on the footpath that way I can direct them if pedestrians come towards us.

#20. Forgetting the Helmet

Always wear a helmet! A friend of mine ended up in hospital with concussion for not wearing her helmet when on her bike, although she had insisted the kids put them on!

You can check your child’s helmet is the right size with these simple bike helmet safety tips that will help protect your child in an accident.

#21. Forgetting Maintenance

Make sure all the brakes, lights, tyres and bell are in working order.

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