A new school year is about to begin, and it is never too soon to think about back to school safety.
COLUMBIA (WACH) - Backpacks, buses and playgrounds can present dangers to students. With a new school year just around the corner, parents are encouraged to talk with children about the importance of school related safety.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that nearly 5,000 emergency room visits each year are due to injuries related to book bags, according to Palmetto Health Children's Hospital.
“Twenty years ago, it was rare for a child to complain of back pain. Now, this type of pain is seen daily,” says Dr. Mark Locke. “Book bag related pain seems to be most prevalent in middle school-aged children, who sometimes carry loads of up to 25 percent of their body weight.”
Palmetto Health Children's Hospital says using both shoulder straps, packing heavy items close to the back of the bag, and keeping the weigh of the bag less than 15 percent of the child's body weight could help prevent backpack injuries.
“As technology advances in the classroom, children will likely carry electronics rather than books. Hopefully this issue will be a problem of the past,” says Locke.
After strapping on a backpack, kids often head to a bus stop to wait for a ride to school.
The South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDOT) has a website to educate parents and children on school zone and school bus safety.
Parents might remember many of the SCDOT school bus rules as the rules posted at the front of the bus when they were children: Never distract the driver; speak in a low voice, never stick anything out the window, etc.
These rules can be shared with children to make their bus experience as safe as possible.
The SCDOT also reminds motorists that yellow, flashing lights indicate the bus is preparing to stop or unload children. Red flashing lights and extended stop arm indicate the bus has stopped and that children are getting on or off of the bus.
Once the kids are at school, many of them are already thinking about heading to the playground.
According to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA), more than 200,000 children in the United States receive emergency department care for injuries that occur on playground equipment. Approximately 1 out of every 2 playground accidents occurs on public playgrounds, including school facilities.
CHOA recommends that adults actively supervise children on playgrounds at all times, constantly keeping children in sight and in reach.
Parents are advised to talk to children about not pushing, shoving or crowding playground equipment.
CHOA also says getting students adjusted to their school sleep schedules in advance will make the back to school transition much easier. Maintaining a regular bedtime, turning off the television, and limiting caffeine after lunchtime can help children get the sleep they need to succeed.
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