LOCAL COALITION STRESSES SAFETY FOR SCHOOL YEAR

The Cape Girardeau Area Safe Kids Coalition wants to help children get from home to school and back again as safely as possible.

The local organization is part of a national campaign that works to prevent unintentional injury for children ages 14 and under.

"A lot of accidents happen that could be prevented just by taking time out and putting these tips to use," said Sandy Schnicker of the local organization. "With the school year starting up, that is one of our biggest goals."

Pedestrian injuries are the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related deaths among children ages 5 to 14. Each year nearly 900 children under the age of 14 die from pedestrian injuries, while another 24,000 are injured in traffic-related crashes.

"Parents tend to overestimate their child's ability to cross a street," Schnicker said. "They need to recognize that children's visibility and their ability to judge distances of oncoming traffic and foresee consequences is limited."

Schnicker said street safety should be taught to children before they become school-aged. Toddlers and preschoolers can be taught to stay away from streets and to play in non-traffic areas, she said.

Children in elementary grades may seem ready to make decisions regarding traffic safety, but they actually still need strict supervision, she said. Especially important at this age is to teach children proper behavior at school bus stops.

"The driver of the school bus has a blind spot, and it's about 10 feet in front of the bus," Schnicker said. "Children always should be aware that the driver can't see them."

Schnicker said children also can be injured when boarding or exiting buses. "Jackets with drawstrings can be caught in doorways, and that can cause hard falls or even dental problems," she said.

Bicycles are associated with more childhood injuries than any other consumer product except the automobile. Parents should teach children who will ride bicycles to school to follow traffic rules and to wear helmets at all times.

Older children often forget to practice the safety guidelines they were taught earlier. Beliefs that they are indestructible also come into play for young teen-agers, Schnicker said.

"They have the mode of thinking that it will never happen to them," she said. "I think it's just they're thinking about a lot of other things -- school, homework, activities -- while they are riding the bus, and safety tends to be forgotten at that point."

Schnicker said parents and caregivers should take the time out to teach and review safety guidelines each year with their children. By doing so, they are laying the groundwork for an injury-free year, she said.

For more information about Cape Girardeau Area Safe Kids Coalition, call 651-5815.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL SAFETY

Waiting for the bus

*Arrive at stop at least five minutes before bus arrives.

*Stay out of street and avoid horseplay.

*Wait for parents on same side of street as school bus loading/unloading zone.

*Cross street at least 10 feet in front of bus.

Boarding and leaving bus

*Walk in a single-file line.

*Use handrail to avoid falls.

*Wait until bus comes to complete stop.

*Exit from front of bus.

*Be aware of driver's blind spot about 10 feet in front of bus when walking away from bus.

*Remove loose drawstrings or ties on jackets and sweaters, and replace with velcro, snaps or buttons to avoid snags on handrails.

On the Bus

*Remain seated at all times, and keep aisles clear.

*Do not throw objects.

*Do not shout or distriact driver.

*keep heads and arms inside bus at all times.

Walking to school

*Choose the safest route, and walk it with children.

*Teache children to recognize and obey all traffic signals and markings.

*Look in all directions before crossing street.

*Do not enter street from between parked cars or from behind shrubs.

*Cross the street at a corner or crosswalk.

*Be extra alert in bad weather.

*Parents should demonstrate proper pedestrian safety by being a good role model.

Riding bikes to school

*Wear helmets at all times.

*Follow rules of the road.

*Never let children ride on road without adult supervision until age 10.

*Do not ride at night.

*Make sure schools provide cyclists with "safe areas" where there are few vehicles and pedestrians.

Source: National Safe Kids Campaign