What Parents Can Do to Keep Kids Safe at School

For most of the year, children spend more time at school than anywhere else other than their own home. At school, children need a secure, positive, and comfortable environment to help them learn.

Overall, schools are one of the safest places children can be. However, some schools have problems, such as bullying and theft, which make them less secure. These problems make students and educators feel less safe, and it makes it harder for students to learn and for teachers to do their jobs.

But there are specific ways that parents can make going to school a safer and more valuable learning experience for their children.

In the Classroom

Kids need a safe and comfortable environment to learn to the best of their capabilities. This means they have to feel safe in their school and be able to positively interact with their teachers and classmates. By doing the following, parents and other adults can help make sure children have a positive school experience.

  • Talk to your children about their day. Sometimes children won’t tell you right away if they are having problems at school. Ask your children if they see anyone bullied, if they are bullied, or if anything else makes them feel uncomfortable. Look for warning signs, such as a sudden drop in grades, loss of friends, or torn clothing.
  • Teach children to resolve problems without fighting. Explain that fighting could lead to them getting hurt, hurting someone else, or earning a reputation as a bully. Talk to them about other ways they can work out a problem, such as talking it out, walking away, sticking with friends, or telling a trusted adult.
  • Keep an eye on your children’s Internet use. Many elementary schools have computers with Internet access. Ask your children’s school if students are monitored when they use the Internet or if there is a blocking device installed to prevent children from finding explicit websites. Talk to your children about what they do online – what sites they visit, who they email, and who they chat with. Let them know they can talk to you if anything they see online makes them uncomfortable, whether it’s an explicit website or a classmate bullying them or someone else through email, chat, or websites.
  • Ask about the safety and emergency plans for your children’s school. How are local police involved? How are students and parents involved? What emergencies have been considered and planned for?

Traveling To and From School

  • Map out with your children a safe way for them to walk to school or to the bus stop. Avoid busy roads and intersections. Do a trial run with them to point out places they should avoid along the way, such as vacant lots, construction areas, and parks where there aren’t many people.
  • Teach children to follow traffic signals and rules when walking or biking. Stress that they should cross the street at crosswalks or intersections with crossing guards when they can.
  • Encourage children to walk to school or the bus stop with a sibling or friend, and to wait at bus stops with other children.
  • Teach children not to talk to strangers, go anywhere with them, or accept gifts from them without your permission. Tell them that if they see a suspicious stranger hanging around or in their school they should tell an adult.
  • Help children memorize their phone number and full address, including area code and zip code. Write down other important phone numbers such as your work and cell phone on a card for your children to carry with them.

On the bus

  • Have your children arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to pick them up.
  • Make sure children know to stand on the sidewalk or on the grass while waiting for the bus.
  • Teach children to make sure they can see the bus driver and the bus driver can see them before crossing in front of the bus. Tell them to never walk behind the bus.
  • Be aware that often bullying takes place on the school bus. Ask children about their bus – who they sit with, who they talk to, and what the other kids do. Let them know that if they see someone being bullied, or are bullied themselves, they can talk to you, the bus driver, or another trusted adult.

If you’d like to work towards making your children’s schools safer on a larger scale, consider implementing Be Safe and Sound. This campaign provides a model for how parents, students, and school staff can work together to make schools safer and more secure.

Source: National Crime Prevention Council

Protect Yourself From Violent Crime

A list of tips for adults on staying safe:

  • Don’t walk or jog early in the morning or late at night when the streets are deserted.
  • When out at night, try to have a friend walk with you.
  • Carry only the money you’ll need on a particular day.
  • Don’t display your cash or any other inviting targets such as pagers, cell phones, hand-held electronic games, or expensive jewelry and clothing.
  • If you think someone is following you, switch directions or cross the street. If the person continues to follow you, move quickly toward an open store or restaurant or a lighted house. Don’t be afraid to yell for help.
  • Try to park in well-lighted areas with good visibility and close to walkways, stores, and people.
  • Make sure you have your key out as you approach your door.
  • Always lock your car, even if it’s in your own driveway; never leave your motor running.
  • Do everything you can to keep a stranger from getting into your car or to keep a stranger from forcing you into his or her car.
  • If a dating partner has abused you, do not meet him or her alone. Do not let him or her in your home or car when you are alone.
  • If you are a battered spouse, call the police or sheriff immediately. Assault is a crime, whether committed by a stranger or your spouse or any other family member. If you believe that you and your children are in danger, call a crisis hotline or a health center (the police can also make a referral) and leave immediately.
  • If someone tries to rob you, give up your property—don’t give up your life.
  • If you are robbed or assaulted, report the crime to the police. Try to describe the attacker accurately. Your actions can help prevent someone else from becoming a victim.

Source: National Crime Prevention Council

Gas Station Theft Prevention

Recently, there has been increased media coverage across the country regarding theft at gas stations. The unique setting allows thieves to catch their victims by complete surprise — when they are pumping gas or paying their tab inside the station. Most of the time, gas station customers leave their car doors unlocked and items like purses and wallets are often left in plain view. A thief is able to drive up next to the victim’s car, open an unlocked door, and grab any valuables within reach. Then, the thief quickly drives off. It happens in a matter of seconds.

But these thefts can be easily prevented if the appropriate precautions are taken. The National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) and the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia recommends the following tips to prevent citizens from becoming victims of theft at area gas stations.

  • Pick stations that are well-lit and have video surveillance cameras at the pump.
  • Always remove your keys and lock the doors while you are pumping gas.
  • Keep valuables out of plain view in your vehicle and lock the doors even if you are going inside for a moment.
  • Pay attention to your surroundings.
  • Don’t let your cell phone distract you.

The NCPC blog, Prevention Works, featured an interesting article regarding gas station theft and provided a link to a very informative and helpful video on the subject. Click here to read the article and watch the video.

Source: National Crime Prevention Council

Safe Firearms Storage Campaign

The Safe Firearms Storage campaign encourages firearms owners to make safe firearms storage a priority.  To encourage current and prospective firearm owners to safely lock up their weapons when they’re not in use, the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) created a new public service advertising (PSA) campaign developed in partnership with the Ad Council and funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).  Read more.

Tempted to text behind the wheel?

The best communicators understand the importance of brevity. The fewer words we use to deliver our message, the less of our audience’s valuable time we take up. With that in mind, Texas Mutual encourages you to invest 30 seconds in watching this short video. It might save your life.

Give safety a hand

Distracted driving is a leading cause of workplace accidents. If you use a cellphone, put on makeup, reach for something in the back seat, or do anything else that takes your attention from the task at hand, you put yourself and other drivers at risk.

 

Visit Texas Mutual’s SafeHandTexas.org for information and free safe driving resources.

The ROI of Safety in the Workplace

Texas Mutual and the Austin Business Journal recently hosted a panel discussion titled “The ROI of Safety in the Workplace.” Here are some of their panelists’ tips for making safety a value in your organization.

Be proactive

Kenneth Paninski, safety consultant, Texas Fifth Wall Roofing

“Don’t wait until you have an accident or you get fined to take safety seriously. If someone gets injured, learn from the experience. Keep digging until you find out why the accident happened. Take corrective action, and follow up to make sure you fixed the issue.”

Focus on return-to-work

Rich Jackson, CEO, Texas Restaurant Association

“When someone gets injured, getting them well and back to work should be your priority. Make sure the employee knows you are there to support them and you want them back on the team. If the relationship gets adversarial, other employees will take note, and morale might suffer.”

Get employee buy-in

Marcia Williams, human resources director, Chuy’s restaurant

“Management commitment drives safety, but it can’t be a top-down situation. Employees have to be part of the process. We ask for their suggestions on improving the safety program, and we implement the good suggestions. If we don’t implement a suggestion, we always follow up with the employee to explain why.

Promote safe driving

Jim Sierra, vice president of finance, Texas Oil and Gas Association

“Most of us drive every day, and we don’t think about the risks. Traffic accidents are the leading causes of workplace accidents. TxOGA and Texas Mutual launched a safe driving campaign that recommends four simple tips: buckle up every time, control your speed, avoid distractions and never drive drowsy.”

Conduct frequent inspections

Cathy Rudzinski, vice president/chief financial officer, Goodwill Industries

“Our managers conduct daily inspections of our facilities, looking for hazards. We also bring in a third party to conduct unannounced inspections. That approach keeps everyone on their toes and sends the message we take their safety seriously.”

Use your free resources

Will Newton, executive director, NFIB Texas

“Take advantage of the free resources Texas Mutual offers. The safety resource center at texasmutual.com has streaming videos and downloadable materials that fit your company’s unique needs. If you’re new to safety, start by taking the interactive safety self-assessment. The free resources are especially valuable to small businesses that don’t have the luxury of a full-time safety director.”

Source: Austin Business Journal

Personal Safety Tips – Part 3

Most of us leave our home at least once each day.  Whether it’s driving to the grocery store or going on your daily walk, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings.  By using simple precautions, you can safely enjoy the time you spend outside of your home.

If You are Attacked:

  • Noise is your most immediate defense.  Not only will sound attract attention to you and make your location known, but it may also cause the would-be attacker to flee.
  • If possible, run in the direction of help.  An assailant usually will not engage in a pursuit because it could increase the possibility of detection or apprehension.
  • If the assailant demands your wallet, purse, keys, or money, give it to him or her.  Don’t risk your life.
  • Never leave the site of the attack when prompted by an attacker.  Don’t believe an assailant that says he or she won’t hurt you if you leave with him or her.  Stay where you are, fight and scream.

While these tips can be helpful, they do not guarantee your safety.  Immediately contact the police if you detect any suspicious behavior.

Personal Safety Tips – Part 2

Most of us leave our home at least once each day.  Whether it’s driving to the grocery store or going on your daily walk, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings.  By using simple precautions, you can safely enjoy the time you spend outside of your home.

Driving and Parked Car Precautions:

  • Before heading to your destination, make sure you have enough gas to get you there and back.  You don’t want to be stranded alone.
  • If you feel like you are being followed, drive to the nearest gas station or open business.  Do not drive home until you are completely sure you are alone.
  • Roll up the windows and lock all car doors every time you leave your car.
  • When you approach your car, have the key ready.
  • Avoid parking in isolated areas, especially at night.  If possible, park your car under a lamppost.

Coming up in Part 3: If You are Attacked

Personal Safety Tips – Part 1

Most of us leave our home at least once each day.  Whether it’s driving to the grocery store or going on your daily walk, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings.  By using simple precautions, you can safely enjoy the time you spend outside of your home.

Walking/Running Precautions:

  • Take a friend (even a furry one).  Walking a dog, especially one inclined to bark at strangers, is better than venturing out alone.
  • Take your cell phone with you so that you can call 911 if you see something suspicious.
  • Let a friend or family member know where you’re going and when you plan to return.
  • Avoid walking too closely to bushes or areas with any kind of tall overgrowth.
  • Stay attentive to your surroundings, and if listening to music, keep the volume at a low level so you can hear what’s going on around you.
  • Only run or walk in familiar areas.
  • Use caution when out at night.  If you are out after dark, always carry a flashlight with fresh batteries.
  • Always walk on the sidewalk facing traffic.  Facing traffic makes it more difficult for someone to drive up behind you without being noticed.

Coming up in Part 2: Driving and Parked Car Precautions