Submitted on behalf of Bedford’s Police and Fire Departments
To best ensure a smooth transition back to school this week, Police Chief Robert Bongiorno and Fire Chief David Grunes encourage parents and students to review several important safety tips.
All students in the Bedford Public Schools returned to class this morning.
“This time of year is always hectic for students and families, but everyone should still be mindful of basic safety precautions that will help keep everyone safe as the school year begins,” Chief Bongiorno said. “Parents should remind their children to always remain alert and aware of their surroundings as they head back to school.”
With students often on their phones texting, browsing the internet or playing games, Bedford’s first responders recommend that parents talk to their children about following safety tips provided by the National Safety Council (NSC) when headed to and from school:
- Never walk while texting. If you need to send a text, move out of the way of others and stop on the sidewalk.
- Never cross the street while using an electronic device.
- Look left, right, then left again before crossing the street.
- Cross only at crosswalks.
“Ensuring that students can safely get to and from school every day is a top priority for us,” Chief Grunes said. “It’s essential that drivers pay full attention to the road and drive carefully in school zones, especially during this transition period at the beginning of the school year.”
Drivers should be on increased alert when traveling through school zones and should NEVER text and drive. Additionally, the NSC reminds operators to:
- Stop and yield to pedestrians crossing the crosswalk.
- Always stop for an officer or crossing guard holding up a stop sign.
- Take extra care to look out for children in school zones, near playgrounds and parks, and in all residential areas.
- Don’t honk or rev your engine to scare a pedestrian, even if you have the right of way
- Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians.
To best ensure that children who travel to school by bus get there safely, the Bedford Police and Fire Departments advise that students follow these tips from the NSC:
Getting on the bus:
- When waiting for the bus, stay away from traffic and avoid roughhousing or other behavior that can lead to carelessness.
- Line up away from the street as the bus approaches.
- Wait until the bus has stopped and the doors open before approaching.
Behavior on the bus:
- If available, always wear your seat belt.
- Don’t put your head, arms or hands out the window.
- Wait for the bus to stop completely before getting up from your seat.
Getting off the bus:
- If you have to cross in front of the bus, walk at least 10 feet ahead until you can see the driver. Make sure the driver can see you too.
- Wait for a signal from the driver before crossing. When the driver signals, look left, right, then left again. Walk across the road and keep an eye out for sudden traffic changes.
- If your vision is blocked, move to an area where you can see other drivers and they can see you.
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