| Boarding and exiting a school bus can be | | | | 5) Be sure that the driver sees you. Even if you |
| dangerous for children since they are so close to | | | | can see the bus driver, they may not be able to |
| cars that could potentially cause an accident. By | | | | see you. If you always remain at least 10 feet |
| leading by example and teaching your children | | | | away from any vehicle, you are considered to be |
| these simple safety tips, you can help to reduce | | | | out of the "Danger Zone." |
| the risk of your children being injured by the | | | | 6) Use handrails. Hold onto the handrails so that |
| school bus or other vehicles. | | | | you do not slip and fall. Loose strings, backpack |
| 1) Go to the bus stop 5 minutes ahead of time. It | | | | straps, or anything hanging could get caught in the |
| can be very dangerous if your child decides to | | | | handrails and cause an accident, so make sure |
| start running to the bus stop since it can lead to | | | | that everything is safely tucked away. |
| serious injuries. | | | | 7) When on the side of the bus, make sure that |
| At the bus stop, make sure that you stand at | | | | you are ten feet away from it. Again, this keeps |
| least 10 feet away from the road. This is equal to | | | | you out of the "Danger Zone" and in the driver's |
| about five giant steps for children. This ensures | | | | sight. |
| that the bus driver can see them and that they | | | | 8) If you drop something near the bus, do not |
| are out of the roadway. | | | | attempt to retrieve it. Let the bus driver know |
| 3) Do not board the bus before the bus driver | | | | that you dropped something and ask it if it is |
| tells you to. Make sure that the bus is completely | | | | okay if you go pick it up. This ensures that the |
| stopped, the door is open, and the bus driver tells | | | | bus driver does not drive away while you are not |
| you it is okay to come in, before approaching the | | | | on or too close to the bus. |
| bus. | | | | 9) Do NOT walk behind the bus. The bus driver |
| 4) Safely cross the street. Look both ways to | | | | probably will not see you, which could cause a |
| check for oncoming traffic and cross the road at | | | | devastating accident. |
| least 10 feet in front of the bus so that you can | | | | After getting on the bus, sit in your seat as |
| be seen. In addition, look both ways before exiting | | | | quickly as possible. As a result, all of the children |
| the bus to make sure that all cars have stopped | | | | will have enough time to safely board the bus, |
| coming. | | | | thus lessening the likelihood of an accident. |