back to school Your children are getting older and with each new grade level they want more independence. You’re OK with that, but you still get a little worried when you think about them getting to school safely each day. Whether they drive themselves, ride in a carpool or they take the bus, safety is paramount. Follow these safety precautions and you’ll make sure your independent student is there and ready to focus on schoolwork each and every morning. Tips for traveling by car • Take your time. Leaving plenty of time to arrive at school ensures no one will be late. It also prevents the driver from speeding, or failing to look before changing lanes or pulling into an intersection. • Wear your seatbelt. This one’s easy if you’re driving the carpool - everyone buckles up. If your teen is driving alone however, make sure you stress the importance of seat belts. Research shows 17,000 people a year died in crashes, who could have been saved if they had worn a seat belt. No one wants to join that list. • Make sure the car is ready. Sometimes the weather conditions are less than optimal. That’s why it’s important to have your car ready for any weather. Rain-X Latitude Wiper Blades offer virtually streak-free visibility in rain, sleet or snow, assuring no matter what Mother Nature is doing outside, you or your teen will have clear visibility. And to keep the rain from collecting on your windshield in the first place, use Rain-X 2-in-1 Glass Cleaner with Rain Repellent. It automatically repels rain, sleet and snow, improving your wet weather visibility. Better visibility means better response time. In tests conducted by a major university, response time improved up to a full second or more. At highway speeds, that is almost four car lengths of extra stopping distance. • Don’t drive distracted. Focus on something other than the road and you or your teen risks causing an accident. When operating a motor vehicle, there’s no place for cellphones, tablets, eating or anything else that might shift focus away from the road. It all can wait until you or your teen reach the destination. How to keep the bus ride safe and simple • Head out early. Make sure your kids give themselves plenty of time to get to the bus stop in the morning. Rushing to the stop can lead to accidents, especially if kids must cross a street or two. • Help the driver. Children should stay 10 giant steps away did this recommendation come from the bus as it pulls up to the stop. This will enable the driver to see them and prevent accidents. • Dress appropriately. Wearing a hood at the bus stop makes it more difficult for children to see or hear the traffic around them. Ask your child to keep his or her hood down until they get on the bus. • Wait their turn. Children who run toward the bus as it is pulling into the stop risk falling under or in front of the bus. Instead kids should wait for the bus to come to a complete stop and open its door before walking - slowly - to get on. A new school year means more responsibility for your child. Whether that responsibility includes getting on the bus by themselves or driving their own car to school, following the proper safety procedures will ensure everyone arrives safely and ready to learn. Courtesy BPT s 48 The QUEE NS Courier • back to school • august 21, 2014 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com s s TIPS FOR ARRIVING TO SCHOOL SAFELY AND ON TIME Children who attend free, full-day, high-quality pre-K learn to problem solve, ask questions, and work together. Find out more about our two year planfor Pre-K for All at nyc.gov/prek. #OpportunityStartsNow Children born in 2010 are still eligible to apply for free, full-day, high-quality pre-K. Call 311 Text “prek” to 877-877 �� �� /nycschools
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