As the summer begins to wind down, and both parents and kids start into back-to-school mode, our focus shifts from beach vacations toward backpacks filled with books. But beyond school supplies and new clothes, we should be taking this opportunity to think about back-to-school safety.

As classes start up, more and more kids are going to be out in our neighborhood streets running to catch their buses, riding their bikes or walking to school, and it becomes increasingly important for everyone to be more aware of their surroundings. Kids need to remember to be on guard for traffic when crossing busy streets just as drivers need to be on the look out for kids running out from between cars and or at bus stops.

The folks at Safe Kids USA have some helpful back-to-school tips for drivers and kids to keep in mind as the school year kicks off.

• Drivers should be mindful of residential and school zone speed limits, slow down, and stay especially alert.
• Take the extra time to look for kids at intersections, or on curbs and medians.
• Watch out for kids near roadways in the mornings and after school hours.
• Avoid distractions while driving, such as talking on the phone or texting.
• Children under 10 years of age should always cross the street with an adult.
• Kids should always walk in front of the school bus where the driver can see them.

As your kids start going back to school, there are plenty of opportunities you to talk to them about safety. We’ve got a wealth of information right here at the AMW Safety Center to help you talk to your kids about potential dangers they could find themselves up against. Whether bullying or violence in schools, sporting or online safety, the AMW Safety Center is your resource.

These days, technology is helping us to constantly stay connected. Our mobile phones especially help us to keep in touch with family members of all ages. Becoming more like handheld computers, they help us find restaurants based on our immediate location, they help us to gain our bearings if we are lost and need directions. Many phone applications even allow for you to broadcast your location with your friends.But these conveniences come at the cost of your privacy. Thanks to GPS, or global-positioning systems, your mobile phone company can track your whereabouts, but in some cases, this could be dangerous.

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal served as a reminder of some of the dangerous that exist when technology is exploited, such as when a Texas man was able to track his ex-wife because of the GPS chip in her phone. Some phone companies have features that allow you to track family members, and with more and more of us voluntarily using GPS-based apps, we might be opening the door to unforeseen dangers and creating opportunities for potential stalkers.

According to the National Center for Victims of Crime, as many as one million Americans are victims of stalking each year. And the U.S. Department of Justice reports that last year, there were more than 25,000 adults in the U.S. who were the target of GPS stalking.

A dangerous crime that can happen to anyone, stalking victims can include those individuals in immediate danger and those who may be targeted but not immediately at risk. But you don’t have to sit back and be a victim. The NCVC has some great tips for how you can protect yourself.

• Take threats seriously and always trust your instincts if you feel you could be in danger.
• Contact a crisis hot line, such as a domestic violence or rape crisis program.
• Create a safety plan.
• Don’t respond or communicate with a stalker.
• Keep all evidence of the stalking, including notes or e-mails, phone calls, text messages, dates and locations of any contact, or photos of damages to your property.
• Contact the police: Every state has stalking laws in place.

And with phones that are able to go online or use GPS, consider what personal information you have to give up to use those features. Your cell phone provider can disable tracking functions if authorities believe they are being used for stalking.

Whether you drive a car, motorcycle or scooter, there are thieves on the look out for any easy opportunity you might give them to make off with your vehicle. And according to the experts, you can cut down significant on theft with some common sense precautions that will make your vehicle less attractive to thieves.

Washington D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department has some great tips for you to keep in mind to help you prevent your vehicle or any valuables from becoming an easy target.

• Always lock your car, roll up windows, and never leave your keys in the car. Even if you leaving the car for “just a minute,” never leave your vehicle running.
• A visible or audible alarm system helps to let crooks know that your vehicle is protected.
• Always keep valuables out of sight. Never leave a cellphone, briefcase, backpack or shopping bags out in plain view. Even GPS units or other small electronics can be attractive to thieves. It’s a good idea to putting valuables in the trunk or locked glove box.
• Always park your car in a well-lit area. when possible, try to park near a lot attendant or near an entrance with foot-traffic. This gives you more potential witnesses that can help deter vehicle thieves.

Check out the MPD’s guide to preventing auto theft for more tips on how you can help secure your vehicle from car thieves.