6 Safety Tips + Your 2023 Back-To-School Safety Kit
6 Safety Tips + Your 2023 Back-To-School Safety Kit
Back-to-school season is full of excitement, new beginnings and so many things to learn. To ensure that your kids get off to a good start this year, here are six tips to make this school year safer for your kids while giving you more peace of mind.
#1: Create a code word
For younger kids, trust often comes naturally. To ensure that ill-intentioned individuals don’t easily convince your child that “your mom told me to pick you up today” – have a code word. Make it something that your child can easily remember as their safe word from you. Help them memorize it and know to never share it.
#2: Put them on the map
With modern technology, there are multiple ways to ensure that your child’s whereabouts are known at all times. There are lots of location device options to choose from, and one example is using an Apple AirTag watch band. In the event that your child loses their way on a field trip or gets off the bus at the wrong stop, you can have peace of mind to know their location and get to them quickly.
#3: Make an emergency card
Create a small card with important information like allergies, your contact information and the child’s school on it. Make copies and consider laminating it for longevity. Tuck these into your child’s bookbag, lunchbox and jacket. These added details may be the key to help in the event something happens. Download our 2023 Back-To-School Safety Kit to get your free backpack emergency card.
#4: Snap a morning photo
In the haste of the morning rush, it can be easy to forget what your kid wore to school. By snapping a quick picture before you head out the door, you’ll 1) be able to save some cherished memories and 2) have a recent photo of them and their clothing. By making it a habit – like brushing their teeth – it’ll be a quick addition to the day. If you have a doorbell camera, another option is having your kid walk past it on the way to school. This way you’ll have a log of what they wore and when they left the house. If an unfortunate event ever occurs, you have something recent to share with law enforcement.
#5: Build a back-up plan
Life doesn’t always go according to schedule. If you pick up your child from school or the bus stop, have a back-up plan for days when things go sideways. Whether that’s relying on a family member, close friend or trusted neighbor, put these things in place before they’re needed. Also, let your child know that these are people they can trust.
#6: Practice, practice, practice
The alphabet song, the wheels on the bus, baby shark – all of these songs can be incessant but they work for a reason. Repetition is best with younger children. By practicing your code word, your safety plan and other safety steps like crossing the street and how to address strangers, your family can build a solid plan together that will help your child know what to do in the event of an emergency.
