Back-to-School Safety Tips (for Kids, Parents) An 'ounce of
prevention' is the key to safe travels to and from school—and
while there. With the start of a new school year, school safety
is heavy on the minds of parents—which these days may mean
worrying about possible violence at school. But studies show
school-age children are nine times more likely to be
unintentionally injured—on the playground or elsewhere—than to
be victims of violence at school, according the National Safe
Kids Campaign (Safe Kids USA). The group estimates that 2.2
million children ages 14 and below are injured in school-related
accidents each year. School-related accidents can be prevented
if parents prepare students and stay on the lookout for
potential hazards. Here's a list of safety tips from Safe Kids,
the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Maryland Safe Routes
Program: Walking to and from school: - Plan a route ahead of
time. Whether headed all the way to school or to the bus stop,
plan a route with the fewest street crossing