Local officials offer back to school safety tips

As summer draws to a close and children start heading back to school, it’s important to remember some key tips that will help keep them safe throughout the school year.

Both law enforcement and public safety officials in Clayton urge that whether children walk, ride their bicycle or take the bus to school, it’s vitally important that they – and the motorists around them – take proper safety precautions.

Rabun County Fire Services encourages everyone to be safe around the county as students head back to school Wednesday, August 8.

“Watch out for stopped school buses, be mindful of school zones and drive safely in increased traffic in the mornings and afternoon,” Assistant Fire Chief Justin Upchurch said.

Clayton Police Chief Andy Strait told WRBN/WGHC News that it is vitally important that people are informed of the new school bus law that took effect July 1.

“The new Georgia law on school bus stops inside the City of Clayton where there’s a four-lane if a school bus is going northbound and you’re going northbound, then you have to stop. But if a school bus is headed southbound and you’re going northbound you don’t have to stop,” Strait said. “The lane is the divider for the four-lane now instead of the physical divider. It’s a new law that was passed  and it’s just something we need to make sure that everyone is aware of.”

Additionally, law enforcement advised parents to due diligence when monitoring social media activity and be wary of what information is disclosed about children online.

“You have to be careful how much you let strangers know about your children with posting pictures on FaceBook and things like that. Just be cautious as they go back to school and make sure you’re aware of who’s watching your profile.”

Another safety tip offered by law enforcement is to remove your pick-up tag from your windshield before/after leaving school property as it reveals your child’s information for everyone to see.

“One of the things I always tell parents is make sure after you drop your child off or pick them up in the afternoon, make sure you take that tag off your windshield and put it down where no one can see it because that alerts people that you have children and it tells them where your child goes to school. It’s just a safety thing that I’ve always told people,” Strait said.

If your child is a bus rider, drive them around the area near the bus stop, ensuring that your child is familiar with the route and knows where to get off the bus. Point out landmarks that are easily recognized to help your student know which stop is his or her stop.

Also, officials said to make sure your child understands that they shouldn’t get off the bus if they are uncertain about their stop. Tell your child that if they are unsure, to tell the school bus driver and the bus will take the student back to the school and contact the parents. This is particularly important for younger school-aged students (grades K–2) who are more likely to “follow the crowd” off the bus.

Strait conveyed that although most parents are already aware to never smoke in the vehicle with a child present, that it should be reiterated as it is the law and can cause serious health issues with children.

Some other back to school safety tips to keep you and your child safe this school year, are as follows:

• Make sure your children know their home phone number, address, how to get in touch with their parents at work, how to get in touch with another trusted adult, and how to dial 9-1-1.
• Teach children not to talk to strangers or accept rides from someone they don’t know.
• If your children walk to school, complete the walk a few times with them.
• Make sure that your teen driver understands and obeys all traffic laws.
• Bright colored clothing will make your child more visible to drivers.
• Children should always board and exit the bus at designated locations that provide safe access to the bus or to the school building.
• In a school zone when flashers are blinking, stop and yield to pedestrians crossing the crosswalk or intersection.
• Obey school zone speed limits.
• Watch for kids crossing the streets.
• Never text and drive.
• Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians
• Follow all laws pertaining to school buses.