To help your child be safe and healthy this school year, start work with them:

• Work out a safe route to school.  Choose the quickest way with the fewest street crossings and intersections- preferably those with crossing guards.  Stay away from parks, vacant lots, fields, empty buildings and other places where there aren't many people around.
• Arrange to have your child walk to school with a friend, brother or sister, you, or trusted neighbor.  Avoid if possible children walking alone.
• Be sure they have memorized their home phone number and address, your work and another trusted adult phone numbers, and how to use 911 for emergencies.
• Teach them to never talk to strangers or accept rides or gifts from strangers.  A stranger is anyone you and your child don't know well or trust.
• If they bicycle or skateboard to school teach them to always wear a helmet and to lock up their bike whenever they leave it.
• If they will be home alone after school, train them to check in with you, or a trusted neighbor, as soon as they arrive home.
• Have them call you if they are going to stay late at school and to get permission first if they want to play with a friend instead of going home.