Back to School Safety Reminders!

It's that time again! It's the end of summer and you're more than happy to get your kids in a routine again. Back to school time means new clothes, new friends, and the dreaded never-ending school supplies shopping list. It can also mean safety hazards for distracted children to and from school. Please read the following to help you get back in the swing of things. We hope you enjoy the "snack" portion of our post! There is no charge in passing this informative e-newsletter along to other parents! :)
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Pedestrian Safety
It's estimated that 24 million students nationwide start their school day with a trip on the school bus. Children are the most common pedestrians and also the group that is most at risk for pedestrian-related injury and death. Whether they walk, ride the bus or travel by car, teach your kids these few tips to ensure they get to and from school safely. Remember, children under the age of 10 should not cross the street alone.

• Do not play in the street while waiting for the bus
• Carry all loose belongings in a bag or backpack and never reach under the school bus to get anything that has rolled or fallen beneath it
• Line up facing the bus, not along side it
• Move immediately onto the sidewalk and out of traffic after getting off the bus
• Wait for a signal from the bus driver before crossing the street and walk at least 10 steps away from the front of the bus so the driver can see you
• Cross the street at corners using traffic signals and crosswalks.
• Never run out between parked cars or in the middle of the block

FOR PARENTS OF TEENS: Remember that many crashes occur while novice teen drivers are going to and from school. You may want to limit the number of teen passengers to prevent driver distraction. Do not allow your teen to drive while eating, drinking, or talking on a cell phone

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Smart Snacks for Kids
Snacking is smart when kids are hungry and need fuel to get through a long stretch between meals. Smart snacks give kids important nutrients, too. The snack suggestions below are nutritious and taste great.*

• Cup or tube of low-fat fruit yogurt
• Bowl of cereal (preferably whole grain)-hot or cold
• Cheese stick
• Handful of peanuts, almonds or trail mix
• Frozen fruit bar
• Any fresh fruit such as grapes, an apple, banana or orange
• Any dried fruit such as raisins, apricots or cranberries
• Easy-to-eat veggies such as celery sticks, cherry tomatoes, baby carrots and cut-up green peppers
• Graham crackers
• Cereal bar or granola bar
• Pudding cup
• Fruit cup (in water or juice) or applesauce
• Whole-wheat crackers smeared with peanut butter
• Salsa and baked tortilla chips
• Hummus (chickpea dip) and pita bread
• Microwave popcorn (light)
• Cold piece of roast chicken or slice of pizza
  

*To decrease choking risk, keep the following foods from children until 4 years of age: Hot dogs, nuts and seeds, chunks of meat or cheese, whole grapes, hard, gooey, or sticky candy, popcorn, chunks of peanut butter, raw vegetables, raisins, and chewing gum.

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Backpack Safety

We see it all the time: children hunched over by the weight of their backpacks with heavy school books. To make sure your child is carrying the correct weight on her back, follow these tips:

• Pack light. A backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of a child's body weight.
• Organize the backpack so that the heaviest items are closest to the center of the back.
• Choose a pack with wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back.
• Always use both shoulder straps. Slinging a backpack over one shoulder can strain muscles and may increase curvature of the spine.

For more information, please visit Pediatric Views from Children's Hospital Boston and read their October 2006 article.

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