Stop, look, listen and...

School days, school days ... and these are rapidly approaching.

Every parent, mom or dad, should be aware of how to see that their child gets to and from school safely.

"Awareness and education can be used as tools to keep children safe," said Clint Norred, public information officer for the Yuma Police Department.

For the mom who walks her child to school, it is suggested she "ensure her child leaves early enough to get to school about 10 minutes prior to the start of school, use the same route daily, and avoid shortcuts. And, for the child to go straight home after school," Norred said.

"Choose the safest route between home and school and practice walking it with children until they can demonstrate traffic safety awareness. This includes recognizing and obeying traffic signals, pavement markings, and crossing only at designated crosswalks, street corners and traffic controlled intersections. Teach the child to always look both ways before crossing the street and never enter streets from between parked cars or from behind shrubbery.

"Then, teach the child to walk to school with other students. Strength is in numbers," the officer continued. "Walking alone makes the child an easier target for harassment, bullying or being approached by strangers."

Dr. Wayne Chiavacci, Yuma pediatrician with Cactus Kids Pediatrics, said, "Walking to and from school is a good exercise for children, as long as it isn't too far for the younger ones. Small children are easily distracted, and can get lost without supervision. You should know they are impulsive and less cautious around traffic. You can decide when your child is ready to walk to school without supervision.

"Distance is important to consider, and so is the weather, especially at this time of the year. If it is only a few minutes to the school, it is better for the kindergartners and first- and second -graders so they don't tire too easily. Time schools start is also a factor. If sessions are too early in the day, it can be dangerous for young children to walk when there's not enough light.

"Be sure to choose a backpack for the child that has wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back. It should not be too large and heavy, causing problems. The walking exercise is good, but supervised exercise programs in the schools are much better," Chiavacci said.

Both the police officer and pediatrician gave tips on child safety:

• The path to schools should not be along canals, alleys or cutting through yards or open fields.

• The child should not be at school any earlier than 15 minutes before the start of school, because crossing guards, teachers or aids may not be present to monitor the child.

• Warn the child to not talk to strangers or get within reach of that person, and definitely do not take rides with a stranger or someone he or she knows without the parent's permission.

"Bicycle riding is another way to get to school, with the top safety advice is for the child to always wear a helmet, regardless of how short or long the ride," the police officer said.

"Bicycles are associated with more childhood injuries than any other consumer product except the car," Norred said. "Wearing the helmet can reduce the risk of head injury as much as 85 percent. Wearing a helmet is also the law. Bright colored clothing should be worn as the rider is more visible.

"Children need to obey the rules of the road, such as staying on the right-hand side of the road and ride in the same direction as traffic. They should know and use appropriate hand signals. Parents need to choose the safest route between home and school and practice with the children until they can demonstrate traffic safety awareness," Norred said.

Parents should check with the school principal to be sure bicycles are allowed.

Chris Weigel, director of communications and instructional technician for Crane District said, "All of our 10 schools in the districts have spaces for students to park their bicycles. We tell the students to bring locks to secure their bikes. The children are told they must wear helmets, and we do tell them to not ride double - with someone on the handlebars. That's unsafe.

"Our Pueblo School is a 'walking' school as it is in an area where there is no bus transportation. Parents are reminded to tell children to avoid the current construction areas and agriculture fields - stay on sidewalks for safety. For the bus riders, schedules are posted at all of the schools. Students are told to stay in the seats on the bus, and don't hang heads or hands out the windows. Courtesy is important, too."

Bobbie Henry, principal of Valley Horizon School, said, "Parents in our school prefer to drive the children to school, then pick them up to take home. It wouldn't be far for any of them to walk, but, during this heat, I can understand not walking. The parents are protective of their children, and that is good."

---
Pam M. Smith can be reached at psmith@yumasun.com or 539-6856.