Back To School Tips From Rockville City Police

>My goodness! It seems school is just about here — why, the public schools are set to begin August 26, did you know that?

With so many kids walking to school, we thought it would be a good idea to compile some of the Rockville Police Department’s helpful tips to residents:

Back To School:

To help you stay safe and healthy this school year, McGruff® the Crime Dog says:

• Work out a safe route to school with your parents. Chose the quickest way with the fewest street crossings and intersections with crossing guards. Stay away from parks, vacant lots, fields, and other places where there aren’t many people around.
  
• Walk to and from school with a friend, neighbor, brother, or sister, don’t go by yourself.
  
• Be sure you know your home phone number and address, the number of your parents at work and of another trusted adult, and how to use 911 for emergencies.
  
• Never talk to strangers or accept rides or gifts from strangers. Remember, a stranger is anyone you or your parents don’t know well or don’t trust.
  
• If you bike or skateboard to school, wear a helmet. And don’t forget to lock up your bike wherever you leave it.
  
• If you’re home alone after school, check in with a parent or neighbor as soon as you walk in the door.
  
• Let parents and friends know if you stay late after school. Get permission first if you want to play with a friend instead of going home.

If you see anyone doing something that makes you uneasy or you think isn’t right – a stranger hanging around the school playground, a bigger kid bullying younger children, vandalism or graffiti for example – tell your parents, a teacher, or another trusted adult. ( Made available by The National Citizens’ Crime Prevention Campaign, sponsored by the Crime Prevention Coalition.)

Bicycle Safety Tips:

Did you know that about 75% of all bicycle related deaths result from head injuries? You can prevent most serious head injuries by getting in the helmet-wearing habit.

The helmet should have a label that says it meets “ANSI” or “Snell” or “ASTM” safety standards. The helmet should cover the forehead. Riding a bike of the wrong size make it easier for you to lose control and be injured.

• Both feet should touch the ground when you are sitting on the seat with your hands on the handlebar.
• When straddling the center bar, you should be able to keep both feet flat on the ground with about one-inch between your crotch and the bar.
• If the bike has hand brakes, make sure you can comfortably hold the brakes and apply enough pressure to stop the bike.

Some rules for the road:

• Look in all directions before entering or crossing the street.
• Wear bright colored clothes or helmet or attach a florescent-colored flag on a flexible pole to your bike.
• If you ride on the street ride in the same direction as traffic and stay on the right side of the street near the curb.
• Watch out for parked cars that may pull out into traffic or open their car doors.
• Use hand signals
• Bicyclist must obey the same rules of the road as automobile drivers.

Always lock you bike to prevent theft. Never just leave your bike on the front lawn when you go inside or away from the house. Keep a description of the bicycle, including the serial number.

(Image from Rockville City Police Department.)

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