As students get ready to head back to school, it’s a great time for families and communities to consider how to keep students safe this year.
One major concern is traffic safety. With more children walking, biking and riding buses, roads around schools become busy quickly. Drivers should slow down in school zones, watch for children crossing the street and never pass a stopped school bus.
Parents can help by reviewing safe walking routes and teaching children to look both ways before crossing streets. Consider practicing safely walking or riding bikes along your child’s route before the first day of school.
Schools can also be a hot spot for the spread of illness. Ensuring your student is vaccinated helps protect your child and their classmates from becoming sick or spreading preventable illnesses. View Iowa’s student health requirements online, and encourage frequent and thorough handwashing, especially before eating and after using the bathroom.
If your child is sick, keep him or her home to recover and prevent spreading illness to others.
Back-to-school time can also cause anxiety, and many children feel nervous about returning to school. Watch for signs of emotional distress, such as trouble sleeping, stomachaches, irritability or withdrawal from activities.
Talk openly with your child about their feelings, and reassure them that it’s normal to feel nervous. If anxiety interferes with daily life, speak to a school counselor or your child’s healthcare provider.
The back-to-school season can be both exciting and overwhelming. With a little preparation and awareness, parents and communities alike can help make the transition safe, healthy and positive for everyone. Check out the Red Cross’ Safety Checklist for more tips.
Natalie Peters is the community health educator in the Dallas County Public Health Department.
