Being aware of dangers and learning traffic safety rules will help keep you and others stay safe. Remembering to do things like checking your equipment, looking both ways before crossing the street and wearing a helmet when you ride your bike is a must when it comes to staying safe. Bike safety involves other things too like being aware of what is going on around you, riding with the traffic and avoiding riding at night. You can help your parents and other adults concentrate and keep you safe when they are driving by not being rowdy in the car or on the school bus, always sitting in your booster seat and buckling up. There is danger all around when entering and exiting the school bus, you should always walk five giant steps ahead of the bus and stay three giant steps to the side of the bus so the driver can always see you. It may seem like a lot to remember, but keeping all these things in mind and learning the other important rules of traffic safety will keep you out of harm’s way.

BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY

Equipment Check
Before you get started, it’s important to give your bike a quick check to make sure it’s in the right shape to ride safely.

6 Steps to Safety Check

1.Make sure your bike is the proper size. A bike that is too big or too small will be hard to control. When you are standing on the ground you should have a 1-3 inch gap between you and the top bar. You’ll need more room if you are riding a mountain bike.

2.Check to see if your bike seat is adjusted to the proper height. When you’re sitting on the seat with your foot on the pedal, your leg should be slightly bent. This will help avoid knee strain.

3.Make sure you have a reflector on the front and rear of your bike. The rear should be red and should be at least three inches across. Make sure the reflector is pointed straight back to reflect the headlights of cars that are coming up behind you.

4.Check the bike’s chain to make sure it’s clean and lubricated. If it’s not, take it to the local bike shop for a check-up.

5.Check your brakes for even pressure. They should make your back wheels skid on dry pavement, but you don’t want brakes that stick. Yikes!

6.Make sure your tires are properly inflated.

Helmet Check
Did you know that 3 out of 4 bike crashes result in some kind of head injury??? Do you wear a helmet when you ride your bike? Do your friends? We say when it comes to wearing helmets, just use your head!

The top four reasons kids say they don't wear a bike helmet and the reason everyone should.

Myth 1:
Helmets aren't cool.
Fact:
Helmets are designed to help prevent injuries to your skull and your brain. A serious fall or crash can cause permanent brain damage or death. PERMANENT BRAIN DAMAGE OR DEATH???!!! That's definitely not cool.

Myth 2:
Helmets just aren't comfortable.
Fact:
Helmets today are lightweight and well ventilated. They're actually a lot more comfortable than they have ever been. Just make sure to look for a standards sticker inside the helmet. Standards have been taken care of by a Government regulation requiring all helmets to meet the Consumer Product Safety Commission standard after 1999. In short, look for a CPSC, ASTM or Snell B-95 sticker. (Fit is not tested by the standards, so you must try the helmet on your own head. Visors are not tested for snagging, and they can shatter in a fall, cutting your face. If you use any add-on accessories you should examine them carefully and consider what they might do to you in a crash.)

Myth 3:
I have never worn a helmet and nothing has happened to me so far.
Fact:
Bike crashes or collisions can happen at any time. Even professional bike racers get in serious collisions. More importantly, studies show that in three out of every four bike crashes, bikers get some sort of injury to the head.

Myth 4:
I just don't want everybody to see me wearing a helmet.
Fact:
Wait! That's just the point! Helmets make it easier for motorists, pedestrians, and other bikers to see you. If everyone can see you, they won't run into you.

Important Safety Tip:
Wear a helmet: Helmets can prevent head injuries-the main cause of death and disability. They make it easier for motorists to see you and avoid you! A helmet is as much a part of the bicycle as the handlebars and tires. You don't want to ride without it!

Traffic Check
Beep Beep! Honk Honk!!!! Biking on main roads or in traffic can be dangerous (and scary!). It’s crucial to stay alert and be cautious. Remember, you may be riding a bike but you’re actually driving the same way you would if you were in a car. Always follow traffic signals and road signs, just like cars do.

How can you make biking in city situations as safe as possible? Well, let’s find out. How many of these rules do you already follow?

1.Always ride on the RIGHT. Remember to go with the flow. Never, ever ride against traffic. Cars will not be expecting to find a biker when they round a corner or go over a hill.

2.Ride single file. When passing other bikers or pedestrians, let them know your position by shouting out something like, On your left!

3.Always check behind you when changing lanes.

4.Watch out for dangerous things in the road way. Road litter, potholes, gravel and storm gates can all cause you to lose control.

5.Stop at all stop signs and at all street lights. Be extra careful at crossroads.

6.Always signal before making a left or right turn. To make a left turn: look behind you, hold your left arm straight out and proceed carefully. For a right turn hold you left arm out and up in an L shape.

7.Keep control of your bike. Don’t swerve or make sudden turns. Drivers may not be able to react fast enough to avoid colliding with you.

8.Ride at least 3 feet away from parked cars. Someone could open their door unexpectedly and well, yikes!

9.Listen for cars approaching from the side or behind you.

10.Don’t follow cars too closely (you may be in their blind spot).

11.Know your road signs and obey them. A smart biker follows the rules of the road.

12.(And finally!) Always be prepared to stop. Keep your hands on or close to the brakes.

What's Cool to Wear When You’re Biking?
It makes sense to wear something brightly colored when you’re biking. Choose a color that makes you easy to see. If you’re biking in the forest, don’t wear green!

Fluorescent green, yellow or orange are all great choices. If you’re wearing these colors, other bikers, motorists and pedestrians will be able to see you better.

Look for fabrics that are cool and lightweight. (You can really work up a sweat biking!) If it’s cool outside, dress in layers. You can peel off clothing as you start to get warmer.

For riding at night (which we don’t recommend for anyone) you’ll need clothing with retro-reflective materials sewn onto it. You’ll also need one light source, like a headlamp.

Make sure the straps of your book bag, loose clothing or anything else isn’t going to catch in the wheels of the bike, and cause you to lose control.

Last but not least -- don't forget to wear your helmet!

What Not to Wear When Your Biking
Headphones are a no-no! You won’t be able to hear what’s going on around you.
Clothing that’s too loose.
Inappropriate shoes. (High-heels, Slippers, Bowling Shoes)
Dark Clothes

Danger Danger, Don't be a Dummy, Learn to See and be Seen in Traffic
Here are some ways to avoid the "danger zones"

1.Bikers should always stop and look for traffic when entering the road; especially from a driveway, alley or curb. Always stop at a stop sign or red light.

2.Go with the flow of traffic. Ride on the right, the same way as a car.

3.Avoid riding at night. Avoid dark conditions, narrow roads, and roads with cars traveling faster than 35 mph. If you have to ride at night, use reflectors, lights and retro-reflective clothing.

4.Be predictable. Ride in a straight line. Look behind you before changing lanes or turning, use your hand signal and proceed carefully.

5.Obey all traffic signs and signals. Walk your bicycle across busy intersections.

Some things in the street are more dangerous than you think!
Watch out for:
wet leaves
puddles of water
patches of ice
loose gravel
rocks
broken glass
cracks in the road

Be prepared to ride around obstacles:
Watch out especially for storm grates, railroad tracks and opening car doors.

We hope you had as much fun as we did learning about biking and walking safety. Did you know over 130 million Americans regularly bike or walk? (That’s a lot of people!) Both are great for exercise, sport or simply for relaxing and enjoying the great outdoors. The next time you’re riding your bike or walking with a friend, you’ll know you’re traveling the safe and healthy way.  P.S. Don’t forget to tell people that you learned everything you know from a couple of dummies.

SCHOOL BUS SAFETY

Did you know that school buses are one of the safest forms of transportation around? How can you find out about school bus Danger Zones and learn other important bus safety stuff? Just read below:

Yellow flashing lights on the bus indicate the bus is getting ready to stop and load or unload. This means cars need to slow down and get ready to stop.

Red Flashing Lights and Stop Signal Arm indicates that the bus has stopped and that children are getting on or off. This tells motorists to stop their cars.

The bus driver. A bus driver’s main concern is safety. To become a bus driver you must be a good driver and pass a test which allows you to get a special license. What’s your bus driver’s name?

Side and Rear View Mirrors let the driver know what is going on around them. Cars may be approaching, kids may be walking up to the bus, and bikes may be close by.

Emergency Exits. Let’s hope you never have to use them, but just in case, you should always know where the exits are. In a real emergency listen to your driver for instructions.

Crossing Control Arm is mounted on the front bumper and will swing out when the door is opened. It is designed to keep children from walking close to the front of the bus.

Danger Zones
Danger Zone (front): DANGER ZONE! It’s never safe to walk close to the front of the bus. The bus driver may be sitting up too high to see you. Walk 5 giant steps ahead of the bus before crossing in front of it.

Danger Zone (sides): DANGER ZONE! Remember never walk close to the side of a school bus. Stay at least 3 giant steps away from the side. You may be in the bus driver’s blind spot if you are where he/she can’t see you.

Danger Zone (behind bus): DANGER ZONE! Never walk behind a school bus. The driver will not be able to see you.

Walking Area: When getting off the bus make sure you walk (not run) three more steps away from the door. This is the best place to be around a bus. Stay away from the bus wheels and watch out for moving cars!

The Safety City School Bus Check List
The greatest potential danger is actually not riding the bus, it’s before you get on and after you get off.

1.Getting to the bus stop
Always get to the bus stop at least 5 minutes before the bus is due to arrive.
Running across the road to catch the bus isn’t smart. If you have to walk on roads where there’s no sidewalk, always walk against traffic. Try to stay off the road as much as possible. When crossing the street to get to the bus, always look left, then right, then left again. Cars will approach on the left first. If there are parked cars blocking your view, go to the nearest corner cross walk.

2.Getting on the bus
When the bus approaches, do the smart thing: step back and stand at least THREE GIANT STEPS away from the curb. That way the bus driver can pull up to the curb so you won’t have to walk out in the street to get on.
Wait until the bus stops, the door opens, and the driver says it’s okay to board before stepping onto the bus.
Never walk behind the bus or close to the side of the bus. You could be in the driver’s blind spot. If you drop something near the bus, don’t pick it up until you tell the bus driver or he may not see you. When you get on the bus, take your seat quickly.
 
3.While you’re riding the bus
When the bus is moving, always stay in your seat. Let the bus driver concentrate on the road. Just imagine how hard it would be to pay attention to the road with 30 students TALKING TALKING TALKING TALKING all at once!!! Remember, the bus driver’s job is to get you to and from school safely.

4.Getting off the bus
When you leave the bus, use the handrail. It’ll help you avoid a crash if you stumble. Make sure there’s nothing sticking out on you (your clothes, the hood of your coat, key chains, etc) or your backpack (straps, drawstrings, or anything else) that could get caught in the handrail on the bus or the bus door. What if the bus driver took off while you’re still trying to get off the bus. (Ouch!) If you have to cross the street in front of the bus, walk on the sidewalk (or along the side of the road) to a point that’s at least 5 GIANT STEPS ahead of the bus before you cross. Be sure that the bus driver can see you, and you can see the bus driver.

SAFETY RESEARCH LAB

Crash Testing Grounds
• SafeZone: What happens in a car crash
• HowStuffWorks: How crash testing works

Seat Belt Room
•KidsHealth: Staying safe in the car and on the bus
• TxDot.us: 4 steps for kids to buckle up
• Ca.gov: Mistaken beliefs about seat belts
• The Car Seat Lady: Booster video for kids

Car Seat Area
• Idaho.gov: Car seat safety tips
• HealthyChildren.org: Getting the right car seat, installation tips
• SaferChild.org: Fitting the child to the seat
• CarSeat.org: Strapping in and buckling up properly
• New York State: Choosing the right seat

Airbag Safety Zone
• The Police Notebook: Airbag safety, children in the back
• University of Virginia: The danger of airbags
• KidsSource: Where to place children to avoid airbags

Drinking and Driving Data
• HelpKeepKidsSafe.org: Alcohol DUI statistics, consequences of drunk driving
• FordDrivingSkills: Drinking and driving don’t mix
• KidHealthCollege: How alcohol affects the body

Never Nevers
• NPD.org: Kids do and don’ts for safety
• Kristenguide.com: Know places to avoid and what not to touch
• Cheverolet: Parents car safety dos and don’ts

EMS SAFETY

Make the Right Call to EMS
• Maine.gov: Emergencies and how 911 works
• 911 for Kids: Using a wireless phone to call 911
• Gerrish Police: Using the telephone to call for help

The EMS Team
• CareerKids: Emergency Medical Technician
• Kids.gov: What does a firefighter do?
• Bellbrook.org: Meet the EMS team

First There, First Care
• Alachua County: Bystander care
• Wakegov.com: Know what to do until help arrives