Back to School Safety

Back to school safety is not just for kids and their parents; it affects everyone in the community. Buses share the road with us, children wait at bus stops, sometimes near busy roads during rush hour. Now that school is back in session, everyone needs to remember to stay safe.

Safety for Everyone

A bus with flashing lights means children may be hurrying to catch the bus or may be in a rush to get home and could forget to look both ways before darting into the street.
Yellow flashing lights on a school bus mean it is about to make a stop, so approach cautiously.
Red flashing lights mean the bus has stopped and children are getting on or off. In many states it is illegal to pass a bus while the red lights are flashing.

Safety for Parents

Remind children about the importance of handwashing to help avoid getting sick, not just from COVID-19.
Pack a small bottle of hand sanitizer in your child’s backpack.
Know the emergency plan for your child’s school and/or childcare facility and practice with your child.
Make sure the school has your updated emergency contact information.
Monitor the news and weather for incidents that could cause school closures.

Safety for Students

Always look both ways before crossing a street to your bus stop or to get to school.
While waiting for the bus, be sure to stand or sit far back from the road.
Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before getting on or off the bus.
If you walk home from the bus stop, do not accept rides from or even speak to any strangers. Even if it seems like the stranger needs help, inform them you are not allowed to talk to strangers, get home, and call your parents immediately.
Report any suspicious behavior at school to an adult.
- An adult who does not work at the school and does not seem to be a parent.
- Another student talking about bringing weapons or dangerous materials to school.
- Bulling by other students, whether you are the victim or if you see other students being bullied.

For more information on Children and Youth preparedness, please visit: https://www.ready.gov/kids

Family Communication Plan

With kids returning to school, it is important to create a family communication plan in case of an emergency. Below is a sample of a communication card you can print and put in your child’s backpack to have in case of an emergency.

For a full version of this Family Communication Plan, as well as other planning information, visit: Make A Plan | Ready.gov

Tips to Prepare your home for a Heat Wave

A heat wave is a period of excessively hot weather generally lasting more than two days. Heat waves may be accompanied by high humidity, especially in oceanic climate countries. Here are a few tips to prepare your home for extreme heat.

Install window air conditioners snugly; insulate if necessary.
Check air-conditioning ducts for proper insulation.
Install temporary window reflectors (for use between windows and drapes), such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard, to reflect heat back outside.
Weather-strip doors and sills to keep cool air in.
Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, awnings, or louvers. (Outdoor awnings or louvers can reduce the heat that enters a home by up to 80 percent.)
Keep storm windows up all year.

For more information on Heat Wave safety and how to prepare, visit: NIHHIS > Home (noaa.gov)

Have an idea, question, story, or feedback you would like to share? Send an email to CrisisMgmt@intactinsurance.com

SafetyFIRST! is for internal use and informational purposes only. Questions may be directed to CrisisMgmt@intactinsurance.com