Preparing your child to take the school bus

The bus is a very safe way for your child to travel to and from school. In fact, school buses are the safest vehicles on the road! Very few deaths and injuries involve a school bus.

Most mishaps take place outside the bus, so here are some precautions you can take.

Don't let your children arrive at the stop too early. They may be tempted to wander off or get into mischief.

Make sure they know what to do if they miss the bus: come back home, or if at school, report to a teacher - and never accept a ride with a stranger.

If the stop is a long way from home, plan and discuss with your children where they can go in an emergency.

If it is dark on the way to or from the bus, make your children are visible. Use retro-reflective tape on their clothing and avoid dark colors.

Make sure they wait well away from the roadway, and stay well back until the bus has come to a full stop and the door opens.

Explain they must walk at least three metres (10 feet) away  when crossing in front of the bus so the driver can see them.

Forbid running, pushing and horseplay!

Tell your children to come straight home from the bus - no detours.