Back to School Safety

With another school year about to begin for many students, it’s a good time to remember that tens of thousands of students are injured at school. And in fact, the first two months of school are the time when most injuries happen.

Fortunately, there is something parents can do. There are steps you can take to reduce the risk for your children:

• Choose a safe transportation method: As you consider back to school, consider whether you want your children to get to school by school bus, car, or by walking. Choose a safe route that will help you avoid congestion and get familiar with drop-off areas at the school if you’ll be dropping them off.
• Check back to school products: Sign up for updates from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall list, so you’re alerted if any back-to-school products or toys for your kids have been recalled. In addition, check back to school supplies for any small parts, sharp corners, and other dangers. Even if they haven’t been recalled, they can still have dangerous design elements and you’ll want to use your best judgment.
• Choose safe clothing: Slip and fall and trip and fall injuries are a common type of accident in schools. Avoid long hems and cords, especially for young children, and choose sturdy shoes with good treads.
• Review digital safety: About 95% of US teens are online, and 37% report being bullied online. Online bullying can lead to extortion attempts, isolation, depression, and even more serious consequences. You can reduce the risk for your child by teaching them about online safety, including the importance of never sharing anything personal online and using safe, secure passwords. Help your children set up privacy settings on their devices and talk about cyberbullying, emphasizing that you are there to help if anyone is acting suspicious online.
• Talk about bullying: While cyberbullying is a concern, more traditional forms of bullying still are common, with more than 1 in 5 kids report being bullied at school. Bullying can lead to physical assault and injuries, including fractures, bruising, and head injuries. Before school starts, talk to your children about bullying, review their school bullying policy together, and make sure they know they can come to you if someone is bothering them.
• Do your due diligence: Find out about your school’s stay-safe policies and safety programs. What is the school doing to keep your children safe? Are there gaps you want to address? Is there a PTA or safety committee you can join to improve safety at the school?
• Review sports safety: If your child plays sports, make sure they have good-quality equipment, including protective equipment such as helmets and knee pads. Find out about their coach and make sure the coaching staff at the school have experience and training to keep your child safe.
• Pay attention: As your children head back to school, keep alert for any changes. If you notice a drop in grades, changes in sleeping and eating habits, changes in personality, mood swings, or loss of interest in usual actvities, these can be signs something is wrong at school. They could also indicate your child is having a hard time adjusting to the start of the school year.
• Create a routine to discuss safety and school: Check in at least once a week with your child, to make sure they are doing well. Regular check-ins give your children a chance to mention any concerns they have.
• Help your child get enough sleep: We all know about the dangers of sleepy driving, but fatigue is dangerous for everyone, even children. You don’t want your child so fatigued that they have trouble concentrating in school or on the sports field.

Has your child been injured at school? Contact a childhood injury claims attorney to find out whether you have a claim. Seeking compensation for your child’s injuries can help you pay for your child’s medical care and for the support your child may need to recover from a serious injury.

Flaxman Law Group has already helped families and individuals recover more than $100 million. We have successfully stood up against large corporations, schools, and other liable parties to secure compensation for victims of injury. We’re also proud to offer free, no obligation initial consultations to those who have been injured. If you’ve been injured and may have a case, call Flaxman Law Group at 866-352-9626 or contact us online to schedule your free accident consultation.