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Children and parents in Florida and all across the country are gearing up for the return to school. Every year, thousands of area students return to classes either by walking to school or traveling by bus (or automobile). Ft. Myers personal injury lawyer Randall Spivey has seen firsthand the effects accidents can have on a family; however, Mr. Spivey wants your children to be as safe as possible and enjoy the school year without incident.

Staying Safe While on Your Way to School

Whether your child walks, bikes or travels by bus to school, there are several things he or she can do to stay safe. Parents and/or guardians should ensure that their children know the proper safety precautions to take based on their mode of transportation to and from school.

For instance, if your child walks to school, he or she should be reminded to always walk on a sidewalk, if one is present. If there is no sidewalk available, children should walk facing the traffic.

Also, children should remember to look carefully before crossing the street. In fact, the National Safety Council (NSC) suggests individuals stop, look left, then right, then left again to ensure no vehicles are coming prior to crossing. It is also important for a responsible adult or older individual to practice walking the route with the child so he or she is aware of the area and knows of the potential hazards prior to the first day of class.

If a child rides a bike to school, he or she should always wear safety gear, especially a helmet that fits properly. The child should also be aware of the rules of the road and ride on the right side of the road with traffic. For children who ride a bus to school, they should be reminded to stand away from the curb while waiting. Also, if this is the child's first time catching a bus, an older individual should accompany him or her to ensure the child knows the proper way to get on and off the bus.

In-School Safety

Many injuries that happen in school are preventable. That said, it is important to advise your child of certain steps that can be taken to keep him or her safe while on school property. For example, the NSC notes that some injuries can be caused by the backpack the child carries. It is crucial that parents and caregivers select backpacks carefully. They should be ergonomically designed to enhance the child's comfort and safety.

Additionally, you should never over-pack a backpack, as it is important to regulate the amount of weight the child carries. Generally, the backpack should weigh no more than 10 to 20 percent of the child's overall body weight. Children should also be reminded to use both straps on the backpack to ensure even distribution of the weight.

With respect to playground-related injuries, many of those can be prevented as well. Younger children should always be accompanied by an adult while playing; however, if your child is older, he or she should be encouraged to move carefully when playing on monkey bars and other equipment. Also, many playgrounds have areas with soft surfaces -- these areas should be used instead of areas with concrete surfaces, as those areas will likely lead to more significant injuries if the child takes a fall.

Keeping your child as safe as possible throughout the school year should be of utmost importance. If you have questions about keeping your child safe, or if your child has been hurt in a school-related incident, call the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. today.