Students in Naperville and across the country are getting ready to go back to school, making this the perfect time to remind students, parents and the community about our August Safer Naper topic: Back-to-School Safety. No matter what their age, before sending your student off to school, be sure to discuss important safety information to keep them safe.
Before starting kindergarten, young children should know their address and a parent’s phone number. They should always walk to and from school with an adult or a group, and they need to know their bus number if riding to school.
Older students should be reminded that they, too, should always use the buddy system and remember to slow down, avoid distractions and be aware of their surroundings if driving to school. Parents and students can check the safest routes to their respective schools by reviewing recommended walk routes and traffic control plans for each school developed by Naperville’s T.E.D. Business Group.
No matter their age, all students need reminders about never leaving school with anyone they haven’t been instructed to leave with by their parents. Tell them to always “check first” before going anywhere with anyone.
Before sending your college-bound student off to campus, review personal safety guidelines, help them understand the consequences of their actions and take an inventory of their electronic devices in case of loss or theft.
Don’t forget about staying safe online. Talk to your student about cyberbullying, online predators, what is offensive and inappropriate content, downloading malware, falling for scams and the dangers of posting too much private data.
Additional back-to-school safety tips for parents, students, motorists and community members are available at www.naperville.il.us/backtoschool.
Until next month… Stay Aware and Stay Safe.
