Back-to-School Safety

As summer winds down and the school year starts, it is time to remind parents and students about back-to-school safety.

Always buckle-up when riding in the car; children 12 and under should ride in the back seat.
Stay in your seat when riding on a bus and hold on to bus handrails when getting on and off a bus.
When waiting for a bus, stay at least five giant steps (10 feet/3 meters) from the curb until the bus has completely stopped.
Wear a helmet every time you ride your bicycle and make sure the helmet fits correctly.
Always walk your bicycle when you need to cross a street.
Use crosswalks for crossing streets and remember to look left, right, left before crossing. (Children under 10 should cross with the assistance of a grown-up.)
No pushing or shoving anyone when lining up or playing on school grounds.
At lunch time, stay seated while eating; no running or playing
Never accept medicine, vitamins, candy or other food from anyone other than your parent or caregiver.
When the fire alarm sounds, stop what you are doing and immediately exit the school. Once you are outside, go quickly to your meeting place for roll call.

*Top 10 back-to-school lessons provided by NFPA.*

Dormitory, Fraternity, Sorority, and Barrack Structure Fire Fact Sheet (PDF, 64.7KB) provided by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Your building should have an evacuation plan. Learn it and participate in all fire drills.
If you hear an alarm, leave immediately. Close doors behind you as you go. Take room keys; if you can't escape you may have to return to your room.
If you have a disability, make sure you are included in the escape planning for your classroom area and housing.
Learn the location of all building exits. You may have to find your way out in the dark.
Make sure your builidng has smoke alarms. Do not disable them or remove batteries.
The best protection is a building with a fire sprinkler system.
Don't hang anything from fire sprinkler pipes or nozzles.
Keep a flashlight handy.

If you have to escape through smoke, get low and go under the smoke to your exit.
Before opening a door, feel the door. If it is hot, use your second way out.
Use the stairs; never use an elevator during a fire.
If you're trapped, dial 9-1-1 and tell them where you are. Seal your door with rags and signal from your window. Open windows slightly at the top and bottom, but close them if smoke rushes in from any direction.
If you have a disability, alert others of the type of assistance you need to leave the building.

If you must smoke, only smoke outside of the building and only where it is permitted. (See City of Lawrence, Smoking Ordinance, Chapter 9, Article 8)
It is risky to smoke when you've been drinking or when you are drowsy.
Don't smoke in bed.
Soak cigarettes before you empty ashtrays.
After a party, check furniture and cushions for smoldering butts.

Cook only where it is permitted.
If you use a kitchen, keep it clean and uncluttered.
If you use electric appliances, don't overload circuits
Never leave cooking unattended.
If a fire starts in a microwave oven, keep the door closed and unplug the unit.
Check with your school adn local fire department before using grills. (See Fact Sheet - Grilling on Apartment Balconies
Barbecue Safety

Check your school's rules before using electrical appliances in your room.
Follow manufacturer's instructions for plugging an appliance into a receptacle outlet.
Don't pinch cords against walls or furniture or run them under carpets. Never tack or nail cords.
Don't overload your wiring.
Buy only appliances that have the label of an independent testing lab.
Use light bulbs that match the recommended wattage on the lamp or fixture. Place lamps on level surfaces, away from things that can burn.

Top Links