Health Tips for September 10

Health Tip: Stay Safe on the School Bus

Children should know how to safely board and leave the school bus, and what to do during the ride to and from school.

The U.S. National Safety Council has these recommendations:

* Wait until the bus stops and the door opens before stepping onto the roadway.
* Use the hand rail when boarding or leaving the bus.
* Board the bus calmly and choose a seat quickly. Take a seat as soon as possible.
* Children should always stay in their seats when the bus is moving.
* There should be no loud talking, yelling or other distractions that may bother the bus driver.
* Keep head, arms and hands inside the bus. Never stick them out the window.
* Keep books, backpacks and other belongings stored on or below the seat, and keep the aisle of the bus clear.
* Once the bus comes to a complete stop, children may stand and exit the bus quickly and safely through the front door.
* If children must cross in front of the bus, they should walk at least 10 feet ahead of the bus along the side of the road, until they can turn around and see the driver. The driver should also be able to see them.
* Children must wait for a signal from the driver before crossing the street.

Health Tip: Prepare a Fire Safety Plan

Fires in the home can spread quickly, so it's important to devise a fire safety plan.

Here are suggestions to prepare for a fire emergency, courtesy of the U.S. National Safety Council:

* It's best to sleep with the door closed. Teach children, in the event of a fire emergency, to feel the door for heat before opening.
* Create an escape route for each area of the home, and decide on a meeting point outside the home.
* Create a map that's easy for everyone to read.
* Tell young children not to hide during a fire. Also explain that they shouldn't be afraid of firemen -- that firemen are there to help.
* Teach children to drop down and crawl beneath the smoke to escape the home.
* In low-level homes, make sure that bedroom windows open easily (aren't painted shut), as they may be a secondary means of escape.
* Make sure that everyone in the house knows how to use an escape ladder.
* Explain that no one must ever go back into a burning building.
* Young children should know their last name, street address, and how to dial 911 from a neighbor's house or cell phone.