Back to School Safety Reminder from Singer Katz LLP
As students across Toronto and Ontario return to school this week, we want to remind parents and guardians of the importance of road and pedestrian safety. Ensuring their safety requires vigilance from parents, guardians, and the community as a whole. While transporting your children to and from school, please keep in mind:
1. Encourage children to cross safely: Always use designated crosswalks and intersections when crossing streets. Teach kids to look left, right, and left again before stepping onto the street, and to make eye contact with drivers to confirm they see them. Consider practising route planning with children to identify the safest paths to school.
2. Teach awareness and focus: Instruct children to stay alert and avoid distractions such as using mobile devices or listening to music with headphones while walking near roads. Being attentive helps prevent accidents. Reinforce the importance of removing distractions when crossing busy intersections.
3. Increase visibility: Ensure children wear reflective gear, bright clothing, or accessories during early mornings, late afternoons, and in low-light conditions. Proper visibility significantly reduces the risk of accidents. Parents can also consider carrying flashlights or glow sticks during early morning or late afternoon walks.
4. Waiting for the bus: Remind children to wait for the school bus to come to a complete stop and to stay a safe distance away until it’s safe to board. Proper behaviour at bus stops is essential for safety. Educate children about the importance of staying in clear view of the bus driver and not crossing behind the bus.
5. Safe bike riding: For children who bike to school, emphasise the importance of wearing a helmet, obeying traffic signals, riding in designated bike lanes whenever possible, and using hand signals to indicate turns. Regularly inspect bikes for safety and ensure proper maintenance.
6. Parent and guardian supervision: Always supervise young children near roads and teach them about the dangers of crossing streets alone. Set good examples by practising safe crossing habits. Encourage children to walk with friends or adults when possible.
7. Community awareness and cooperation: Encourage neighbours and community members to watch out for children walking or biking around schools. Community vigilance can make a significant difference.
8. School zone safety: Be extra cautious in school zones where children are likely to be crossing frequently. Observe posted speed limits, especially during arrival and dismissal times, and be prepared to stop. Remember that school zone signs may be in effect during certain hours even when school is not in session.
Let’s work together as a community to create a safe environment for children returning to school across the GTA and all of Ontario. By following these safety tips, adding extra vigilance, and fostering responsible habits, we can help prevent accidents and ensure our children arrive safely each day.
#BackToSchool #RoadSafety #WalkingSafety #ChildSafety
#Toronto #Ontario #SingerKatzLLP
