Walking safety tips
Here are some tips to help students walk safely to and from school provided by the National Center for Safe Routes to School.
Walk together
- Younger children should always walk with an adult.
- For older students, walk with a friend or two whenever possible.
- Pick a safe route to school that parents have approved. Avoid dangerous intersections.
- Stick to the route, even if friends want to take a shortcut.
Cross the street safely
- Watch out for cars and trucks at every driveway and intersection. Look for drivers in parked cars. They may be getting ready to move.
- Always wear bright-colored clothes, and if it is dark or hard to see, carry flashlights or wear reflective gear.
- When near the street, don’t push, shove, or chase.
- Obey traffic signs, signals and crossing guards.
Avoid strangers
- Avoid clothing or gear that has student’s name visibly displayed so that strangers can’t use that information to approach or engage children in conversation.
- Never leave school with a stranger, hitchhike or take rides not previously arranged by parents.
- If strangers offer a ride, say NO. Stay away from unknown cars and people.
- If someone follows in a car or on foot, get away as quickly as possible, run in the other direction, and yell for help.
- Encourage children to report suspicious behavior or strangers on campus, a public restroom or playground to a campus administrator or to another trusted adult.
- For students who arrive home alone, remind them to lock doors, to call a parent to check-in, and to never open the door for a stranger. Students should not share with others that they are home alone after school.