4 Tips for Keeping Your Kids Safe on their Walk to School from a Detroit Police Officer
David Lingholm
| 2 min read
Back to school season is here and many parents are just as nervous as their kids about a new school year starting. Will your child fit in with their new classmates? Will they eat a healthy lunch? Will they be safe on their way to and from school?
Walking to school is a great way to incorporate a little exercise into your kids’ school routine and also contributes to their academic success. A simple walk gets the blood flowing, eases stress and will help them stay focused during the school day, leading to higher performance in school. Routine walks to school also help foster the child’s security within their neighborhood.
Many parents are concerned about the child’s safety when walking to and from school. Detroit Police Officer Monica Evans says that following these four suggestions will go a long way toward making sure your kids are safe on their journey to school.
- Teach kids not to walk and text, it will help them avoid trip-and-fall accidents while allowing them to remain aware of potential stranger dangers.
- Get a high-pitched whistle and attach it to their backpacks. Just in case a stranger does approach them, this is a great tool for kids to get attention quickly.
- Kids should walk on sidewalks when they are available. Also, all students should avoid taking shortcuts to school and they should avoid vacant houses.
- Teach your child to keep their heads up and to make eye contact with people walking past them. It helps show people that your kid is alert and confident, two qualities perpetrators dislike in potential victims.
Photo credit: zaikina
