Back to School Safety Tips

Here in Chicago, we still have a couple more weeks before we send our Mac Kids back to school. As we tackle our back to school to-do list, I've made sure to add some safety discussions to the list as well.

1. Practice reciting your contact info with your Mac Kids. Your child should know his home address, your phone number (home and work) and how to dial 911.
2. If your child will be walking to and from school, remind them not to talk to strangers or to get into cars with people they don't know. Practice the route to and from school several times and make sure they know to only cross at corners and to look both ways before crossing any street. Walking with a buddy is always a good idea!
3. Will your child be taking a bus to school this year? Plan your morning routine so that she can get to the bus stop in plenty of time. Remind her to remain on the sidewalk and to stand back from the curb while waiting for the bus. Make sure your Mac Kid knows which bus is his and that he should only board that bus.
4. Teach all kids when crossing the street to always stay where a bus driver can see them and to never cross behind a bus.
5. It's a good idea to come up with a secret family password. If someone other than the usual person will be picking your child up, your child can ask them for the password to ensure that it's okay with mom and dad.
6. As you purchase backpacks, jackets and new clothes, don't label or monogram the outside of these items with your child's name. This will prevent strangers from being able to call your child by name and act like they know him.
7. Along with tornado and fire drills, schools now have to perform lockdown drills to prepare students and staff in case an intruder gets into the building. Learn how your school handles these drills and any other emergencies so you can discuss them with your child.
8. Depending on the age of your child, a pre-programmed cell phone might be a good addition to your back to school shopping list. Program your number, as well as other emergency contacts, into the phone so your Mac Kid can reach you should the need arise.