– information courtesy of Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame
As schools get back in session over the next couple of weeks, Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame reminds the public of some basic safety tips that will help keep schoolchildren safe as they make their way to and from school, whether walking, riding a bike, or by car or school bus.
“I hope that our students have enjoyed their summer vacation, but it is now time to hit the books once again for the school year,” Brame said in a written statement. One way to get the new school year off right is by sharing with young people potential dangers and how to avoid unsafe situations.
Brame also suggests parents check the location sharing settings on their children’s electronic devices before sending them off to school to make sure that their location is not being shared with any unwanted applications. “This is also a great time to remind students of the dangers of sharing personal information on social media. It is important to teach young people that sharing certain information, especially their location, may put them and their classmates at risk,” Brame said.
Other safety tips that parents can share with their children include:
- Do not talk to strangers! A stranger is anyone that you or your parents do not know well. If a stranger has approached you, tell a trusted adult about what happened.
- When walking to and from school, always stay with a friend. Two minds are better than one, especially if there is an emergency.
- If you think you are in danger, yell for help and run to the nearest business, school, crossing guard, or law enforcement officer.
- Try establishing a family “code word.” If a stranger claims to know your family but does not know the code word, do not go with them.
- Strangers may use a variety of tricky tactics to get you to come with them, such as:
- Asking to show you something,
- Asking for you to help them find a missing pet or person, or
- Telling you that a family member is hurt and offering to take you to them.
- If you do not know the person, absolutely do not go with them!
- Never take things like candy or medicine from a stranger. It could contain a dangerous substance that can harm you.
- Don’t wear headphones or earbuds while walking so you can hear your surroundings and know if someone is approaching you.
Those big yellow buses will be making their way across the county soon, and motorists should be mindful of the multiple stops that buses make as they pick children up in the morning and drop them off again in the afternoon.
Traffic laws concerning school buses haven’t changed, but it’s always a good idea to refresh your memory to avoid crashes, injury and the citations that come with infractions.
The N.C. Sheriff’s Association reminds drivers to:
- learn and obey the laws about school buses
- never pass a stopped school bus – from either direction – when the red light is flashing or the arm is extended
- children can be unpredictable! always look twice before proceeding
- be alert to the possibility of children walking in the roadway
- obey speed limits in school zones
Children who may walk to school should always walk FACING traffic; those who get to and from school on a bicycle, however, should travel with the flow of traffic – wearing a helmet and with no passengers!
