Stay safe as school begins

To the editor:
Before school resumes, take a moment to discuss safety basics and smart life choices. Use this easy guide from MetLife to make sure your child is prepared.

Every age
•Plan how your student will go back and forth to school.
Tell little ones not to accept rides from strangers. Have older kids avoid accepting rides from newly licensed friends unless they have your permission.
•Preach cycling safety.
Make helmet use mandatory for bikers. Invest in a bike lock and teach your child to use it.

Grades K-8
•Make walking to school a group affair.
Organize a “walking school bus” with a designated adult accompanying a group of neighborhood children.
•Don’t reenact “Home Alone.”
The AAP advises that children younger than 13 should not come home to an empty house after school.

Grades 9-12
•Deter driving distractions.
Require seat belt use, limit passengers, ban cell phone use and texting while driving and limit driving at night.
•Pick safe friends.
Caution your teens about riding with other young drivers and specify when and with whom it’s acceptable. Talk about what to do if a driver has been using drugs or alcohol.

College students
•Safeguard their stuff.
Your student’s equipment—from MP3 players to computers—needs to be protected from theft or damage. Your existing homeowners policy may cover equipment, or you may need renters insurance or personal property coverage.
•Safeguard their health.
If possible, keep your student under a parent’s healthcare coverage. Check that the college doesn’t automatically sign your student up for additional health care that’s not needed.
Submitted by Kristi Henry
Community Health Educator
Jay County Hospital[[In-content Ad]]