By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
Students are beginning to head back to school. And as they get back into the classrooms, the American Red Cross wants them to keep some tips in mind.
Red Cross spokeswoman Angie Springs says if parents have a first-time student, it's important to talk with them and practice some of that important information.
"Maybe they walk to school, walk that route with them, talk to them about how to safely cross the streets, where they need to walk on the sidewalk," Springs tells host of the KFEQ Hotline Barry Birr. "Also make sure that they know their address and their phone number, that they know how to get ahold of the adult in their family, so whether that's a parent or another adult in the family, who do they call."
Springs says it's also important to make sure they remember the importance of calling 9-1-1 in an emergency.
Springs says if your student plans to ride their bike to school, make sure they know how to get to and from school each day.
"Know where those bike lanes are or where the sidewalks are that they're going to be riding on, ride that path with them so that again they know where the intersections are, where they need to stop and wait, where there are stop lights that they need to stop and pay attention too," Springs explains. "There's lots of busy intersections, maybe there's an alternate route that you would rather them ride their bicycle to school."
And of course, Springs says to make sure they know to always wear a helmet when on their bicycle traveling.
With school getting underway high school students will be getting in their cars to get back into the classrooms.
Springs says for those students driving to school, maybe even for the first time, make sure to not drive distracted and give yourselves plenty of time
"Because they can get behind a school bus that's going to need to stop and go and stop and go, and that adds time to your morning," Springs says. "Make sure that they know to always, it doesn't matter if they're just pulling out of the driveway, put your seatbelt on, always wear your seatbelt and put your cell phones down."
Springs says on top of school buses being out this is also a time where tractors are heading in and out of the fields so be aware of those as well.
While some schools began classes last week, the St. Joseph School District opens classes on Wednesday.