As students across Green Country head back to school, Tulsa firefighters are reminding families and drivers to slow down, stay alert and prepare for emergencies.
Andy Little with the Tulsa Fire Department said back-to-school safety is everyone’s responsibility, not just schools, parents or students.
“It belongs to everyone to slow down in those school zones, stop for those school buses, put those phones down and just pay attention,” Little said. “Remember, children are unpredictable and we’ve got to take care of them.”
Little shared a simple way for families to remember some of the most important safety reminders: SAFER.
1. School bus safety
When a school bus puts out its stop arm and signs, drivers need to stop.
“It’s not a request. It’s not a suggestion. It’s a command. You have to stop,” Little said.
He also reminded drivers to put their phones down and pay attention around school buses because children can be unpredictable.
Little said a crash involving a child is something that can have lasting consequences for an entire community.
“So we want to be diligent, be safe, and make sure these kids have a great start to the school,” he said.
2. Around school zones
Drop-off and pickup times can be especially hectic, making it important for parents and other drivers to slow down and follow school-specific rules.
Little said drivers should pay attention, follow the rules for drop-off and pickup areas, put their phones down and avoid distractions.
3. Foot and bike safety
Children walking or riding bikes to school also need to know how to safely navigate crosswalks and traffic.
Little said parents should teach children to make eye contact with drivers when crossing the street and make sure drivers see them.
For children riding bikes, Little also stressed the importance of wearing a helmet.
4. Emergency preparedness
Some children may be home alone after school while their parents are at work. Little said those children need to know what to do if an emergency happens.
Children should know:
- Emergency contact numbers
- Their home address
- What to do if there is a fire
- When and how to call 911
- Their family’s emergency plan
Little said the start of the school year is a good opportunity for parents to have those conversations.
5. Residential fire safety
The start of school is also a good time to make sure a family’s home is prepared for a fire.
Little said families should test their smoke alarms and talk with children about what they should do if one goes off.
“Push the button. Make sure your smoke alarm’s working,” Little said.
Families should also have a plan for where to go, how to get out and multiple ways to leave the home if necessary.
Little said families should also establish a common meeting location outside the home so everyone knows where to go.
Don’t forget about hot cars
With extreme heat continuing across Oklahoma, Little also warned parents and caregivers about the dangers of leaving children in vehicles.
He said temperatures inside a vehicle can rise above 100 degrees within minutes, even when the outside temperature is around 80 degrees.
Little also warned against relying on a vehicle’s air conditioning to keep a child safe.
He said some newer vehicles can automatically shut off after a period of time, meaning a child could suddenly be left in a dangerous environment.
“You just should never rely on the vehicle to provide that environment,” Little said. “You know, we are human and we have to put a safeguard that’s human with these children.”
One way to create that safeguard is to put something you need, such as a purse, gym bag or shoes, in the back seat. That creates a reason to check the back seat before leaving the vehicle.
One thing for everyone to remember
Little’s biggest message is that back-to-school safety isn’t only the responsibility of parents or schools.
With more children walking, biking, riding buses and being dropped off at school, everyone on the road has a role to play.
Slow down. Put the phone down. Pay attention.
