Riding a school bus for the first time is an exciting time for big kids. Help them prepare for all the excitement with a few safety tips.

Top Safety Tips for Riding the School Bus

1. Walk with your kids to the bus stop and wait with them until it arrives. Tell kids to stand at least three giant steps back from the curb and wait there as the bus approaches.
2. Make sure the school bus driver can see kids waiting at your stop. Look for overgrown trees, buses, glass, etc. to make sure it is a safe spot for your kids. 
3. Teach kids to wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before getting on or off.
4. If children need to cross the street after exiting the bus, they should take five giant steps in front of the bus, make eye contact with the bus driver and cross when the driver indicates it’s safe. Then look left, right and left before crossing the street. Teach them not to walk behind the bus.
5. Instruct kids to use handrails when boarding or exiting the bus. Be careful of straps or drawstrings that could get caught in the door. If your children drop something, they should tell the bus driver and make sure the bus driver is able to see them before they pick it up.
6. Drivers should slow down in school zones and near bus stops. Remember, kids may run out into the street, especially if they’re late for the bus. 
7. Slow down and stop if you’re driving near a school bus that is flashing yellow or red lights. These lights mean the bus is either preparing to stop (yellow) or already stopped (red), and children are getting on or off.