Staying Safe On And Off Of The School Bus

According to data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, as many as 17,000 school bus related injuries occur per year. These injuries might occur on the bus through accidents on the road or with pedestrians who come into the danger zones of a bus in motion. Federal guidance suggests and State laws require emergency and general safety training for students and bus drivers, but often times this does not happen. Statistically, the school bus is still one of the safest modes of transportation for students. However, for the 23 million kids who ride a school bus every day, it is increasingly important in the case of an emergency situation that passengers know what to do. Here are some safety tips to help get you started:

• When waiting for the bus, stay out of the street and avoid rough housing.
• Wait until the bus has stopped and the door opens before stepping the street to board.
• When on the bus, find a seat and sit down. Loud talking or other noise can distract the bus driver.
• Never put head, arms or hands out of the window.
• Keep aisles clear books or bags are tripping hazards and can block the way in an emergency.
• At your stop, wait for the bus to stop completely before getting up from your seat. Then, walk to the front door and exit, using the hand rail.

In an emergency situation, don’t panic:

• The driver should always be the one in charge of the situation. If they have been hurt or incapacitated, follow the instruction first patrol.
• Do not leave the bus unless instructed to do so by the driver and can do so in a safe manner, or if there is danger of fire or explosion.
• If evacuation is necessary, the driver will decide which of the emergency exits is most appropriate for the situation. If possible, everyone should leave through the front exit. If this is obstructed, the rear emergency exit or emergency windows on either side may be necessary.

It is important for school districts to review safety and emergency procedures with students and especially their bus drivers to avoid tragedy. Contact your local school authorities to make sure they are following through on this training, that they are conducting it at regular intervals, and that students know how to stay safe in the event of an emergency situation. Check out the National Safety Council website for some more school bus safety tips. Also, if your kids are have to spend time home alone after school, we have some additional tips to help kids keep safe.