Florida Injury Lawyer Blog
Now that children are settling into the new academic year, ensuring the safety of your children becomes a top priority. Flaxman Law Group has worked with many families who have turned to our childhood injury claims attorneys in our Miami, Homestead, and Hollywood offices after an accident or injury at school. We’re passionate about helping prevent injury, which is why we’ve put together this list of tips to keep students safe all school year long.
What Parents and Caregivers Can Do
If you are responsible for a young student, here’s how you can keep them safe at school:
- Plan Safe Routes to School. Whether your child walks, bikes, or takes the bus, identify well-lit paths, pedestrian crossings, and traffic signals on their route to the school or bus. Teach your child to stay on sidewalks, use crosswalks, and be cautious around busy intersections.
- Review Stranger Danger. Teach your child to never talk to or accept anything from strangers, even if they seem friendly. Establish a clear plan for what to do if they ever feel unsafe.
- Practice School Bus Safety. If your child takes the school bus, emphasize the importance of staying seated while the bus is moving, keeping hands and belongings inside the bus, and waiting for the bus to come to a complete stop before boarding or disembarking.
- Promote Cybersecurity Awareness. Teach your child to safeguard personal information, use strong passwords, and recognize potential online threats. Encourage your child to come to you and a teacher if they encounter any suspicious or aggressive activity online.
- Get to Know School Policies. Familiarize yourself with your child’s school policies on safety measures, emergency procedures, and visitor protocols.
- Talk About Backpack Safety. Ensure your child’s backpack is the right size and weight to prevent strain on their shoulders and back. Encourage them to use both shoulder straps to distribute the weight evenly.
- Update Your Emergency Contact Information. Keep updated emergency contact information on file with your child’s school. In case of an unexpected situation, the school needs to be able to reach you or someone you designate promptly.
- Make Communication a Good Habit. Maintain open lines of communication with your child about their school day. Encourage them to share their experiences, concerns, and any incidents they may have encountered. This can help you find out about bullying and safety concerns, hopefully before your child is injured.
- Take Part in School Life. Attend parent-teacher meetings and school events. Volunteer at your child’s school if you can. Establishing a relationship with the school community enhances your ability to address any safety concerns effectively.
- Practice Bullying Prevention. Teach your child to recognize signs of bullying and how to report incidents to teachers and school authorities. Talk about bullying regularly and make sure your child feels safe coming to you for help if another student is violent.
Sending your child off to school is a journey filled with growth, learning, and excitement. At Flaxman Law Group, we wish every South Florida student a year of academic success and safety. If your child is injured at school, know that you can always call Flaxman Law Group at 866-352-9626 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation with a Florida childhood injury claims attorney. Our offices in Hollywood, Miami, and Homestead are here for Florida’s families.