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Some 22 million
children nationwide will soon be saying goodbye to summer vacations
and heading back to school -- a good time for parents to give a
refresher course on school bus safety. Last year 26 students were
killed and another 9,000 injured in incidents involving school
buses, according to the National Safety Council.
What many parents do not realize is that more often
than not these deaths and injuries did not occur in a crash, but as
pupils were entering and exiting the buses. A few common-sense tips
can go a long way toward a safe return to the school year:
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Instruct children to stay away from traffic and avoid all
roughhousing while waiting for the school bus. When the bus
approaches, students should line up at least six feet
away from the curb. Children should wait until the bus has stopped
and the
door opens before stepping out onto the roadway.
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Once on the bus, children should find a seat and sit down. Loud
talking or other noises can distract the driver. Never put head,
arms or hands out of a window. Keep aisles clear of
backpacks or other tripping hazards.
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When the school bus reaches their stop, children should wait for the
bus to come to a complete stop before getting up from their
seats.
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Children should take special care when getting off the bus. They
should walk along the side of the road or on the sidewalk to a
point at least 10 feet in front of the bus if
they must cross the street. Tell your kids to be sure that the bus
driver can see
them.Wait for the driver’s signal that it’s okay
to cross.
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Children should never walk behind the bus. If they drop something
near the bus, make sure that they tell the bus driver.
Theyshould never try to pick it up because the
driver may not be able to see them.
These basic safety tips are particularly important for younger
children caught up in the excitement of a new routine and starting a
school year, she added.
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