Safety is the top priority as students head back to school. A safe and positive return to the classroom is essential for both students and teachers, and this focus on safety should continue throughout the school year.
While we expect schools to be safe environments for learning, accidents and injuries can still occur on playgrounds, in hallways, and around school buses. To help protect our children, parents, students, school administrators, and the community must work together to ensure their safety. Below are some common back-to-school injuries and tips on how to avoid them.
Auto Accidents
The return to school brings increased traffic, more pedestrians, and a higher likelihood of accidents. Drivers should exercise caution and reduce their speed in school zones, where the speed limit in New Jersey is typically 25 mph. It is crucial for motorists to remain alert for children disembarking from buses, as kids may not always pay attention. Additionally, drivers should watch for children walking or biking to and from school.
Pedestrian Accidents
According to the New Jersey Division of Law and Public Safety, children should cross the street with an adult until they are at least 10 years old. For those over the age of 10 who wish to walk to school, it’s advisable to review the route beforehand. Parents should consider walking the route with their child prior to the first day of school to ensure safety.
Bus Stop Accidents
Most accidents at bus stops occur when children are entering or exiting the bus. Children should never approach the bus until it has come to a complete stop and should wait for the bus driver’s signal before boarding. A good rule of thumb is for children to stay at least 10 feet away from the side of the bus and to avoid walking behind it.
Playground Accidents
Each year, emergency rooms treat over 200,000 children under the age of 14 for playground-related injuries. According to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, more than 213,000 kids under 18 are treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments annually for similar injuries, with over 20,000 classified as traumatic brain injuries. Children aged 5 to 9 have the highest rate of emergency room visits, often due to accidents involving monkey bars and climbing equipment.
In conclusion, it’s essential to communicate with students before they head out to playgrounds, walk to school, or board a school bus. Make sure they understand the importance of reporting any injuries to a teacher, parent, or guardian to ensure proper medical attention is received.
Cooper Levenson is a full-service law firm established in 1957. Kathleen F. Beers, Esq. handles personal injury law and can be reached at kbeers@cooperlevenson.com or (609) 572-7570. Visit our blog at https://blog.cooperlevenson.com/ for more information.
