5 Safety Tips to Consider as You Send Your Kids Back to School
For most families, there are only three weeks left of school! Wow. Where did the summer go?
As you send your kids back to school, it’s really important to consider what safety measures need to be taken before school starts. These are five safety tips to consider as you send your kids back to school this year.
Table of Contents
1. Do not put your kid’s name on their backpack
My kids just picked out new backpacks this past week. My son went with a Spiderman backpack. We scored big at Target in the clearance rack for $7.00. My daughter picked out a backpack that has rainbows and a unicorn. They are very excited about their new school swag.
But one thing we completely discourage against: DO NOT personalize your kid’s backpack with their name stitched to the backpack.
Why? We have to ensure we are keeping our children as safe as we can.
If a stranger approached your child as they walked home from the bus stop, they have an easy way to approach your kid if they now know their name.
By the way, it’s never too early to start talking to your kids about strangers and what to do if they don’t feel safe.
2. Leave out excessive information in their “Back to School” picture
You see them all over Facebook this time of year. I’m guilty of it too. You find a cute template online about their first day back to school and take their picture with the template filled out.
So what’s the problem here?
This template typically includes your kid’s name, the school that they attend, their teacher’s name and other hobbies and interests that they enjoy.
You just gave everyone on the internet an easy description of where your child is five days out of the week during the school year.
If you want to continue with those photos for your own records, GREAT!
But don’t put them online.
3. Be aware of how much you reveal about your kid’s interests
This goes hand in hand with the point above.
Be careful with what you put online and reveal about your kid. It’s easy to post all of these pictures of their first day or week back at school. But what information are you revealing to complete strangers?
It’s not something I really thought about until I started having kids of my own. I do my best to not reveal too many details when it comes to school information. You never know who gets a hold of that information and what they plan to do with it.
4. Be real with your kids about dangers in the world
Have a real conversation with your kids about what dangers are present in the world.
What does “stranger danger” mean? What do you want your kids to do if a stranger approaches them at school?
What about if a teacher or student does something that makes your child feel uncomfortable?
This may all seem foreign to you. And that’s okay. But it’s important to have these uncomfortable conversations with your kids. You want them to feel 1000% comfortable to come home and tell mom and dad if they are feeling a certain way after a hard day at school.
5. Get to know your school’s security procedures
Does your school have a plan for an active shooter? What happens in that instance?
What other safety and security policies are in place at your school?
It’s important to understand your school’s policies and procedures before you send your kids back to school. This will help you and your child feel comfortable and safe.
Don’t skip this step!
20 Responses
This is great info! Always a bittersweet when they go back to school
Marvinette,
Bittersweet for sure! Thanks for reading!
-Derek
Thank you for the very helpful tips. Parents should read this post!
Thank you Yufi. I hope parents do read this post!
-Derek
It’s so sad that this is what the world has come to. But we need to protect our kids! Thank you for the post!
Trichelle,
I agree with you. Thanks for reading!
-Derek
This is an informative article. Parents need to be aware of what is happening out there and how to protect their kids even in school.
Elaine,
Thank you so much for reading. I agree with you!
-Derek
I would also suggest putting an emergency plan “B” in place with your child, because teachers/staff are human and they panic. Teach your children to always be aware of the nearest exit, where their phone is and give them a code to use if they are in danger. Something they can text quick. I pray this is a safe school year for all children…
Ronda,
Great advice. Thank you for adding to my list!
-Derek
All of these are so important! When I taught in the classroom, my kids told me I was the most detailed in providing information what they need to do. When they asked why I would say, “What if I am the injured one and you have to care for yourself?” It is important for them to learn.
Melissa,
I love that idea. It’s so true. Thanks for sharing!
-Derek
This is a great post and I agree with you, it’s never too early or too late to teach our kids on how to deal with strangers that make them uncomfortable.
Thank you so much for reading!
-Derek
I was guilty of the first one last year, unfortunately. For some reason I happened to think about as I was labeling some of his things today. But I really didn’t consider number 3. This was a good read.
Chunte,
Thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed the post!
-Derek
Great advice to keep our babies safe! (My “babies” are 12 and 18!)
Brandi,
Thank you! Time flies for sure!
-Derek
Vacation goes so quickly that it is easy to forget to get ready for back to school. Thanks for sharing!
Maryanne,
You are 100% right on that one! Thanks for reading!
-Derek