Back-to-school safety reminders

School will soon be in session in the Branson Tri-Lakes area, and the safety of the children in our community is a top concern for many.

The National Transportation Safety Board offers many guidelines to help keep our children safe on their way to and from school.

For those children riding the school bus, the NTSB suggests:

Arrive at the bus stop early, stand at least 10 feet away from the curb while waiting for the bus, and wait for the bus to come to a complete stop and the driver to signal before boarding the bus. Additionally, while on the bus, stay seated, keep body parts inside, follow the driver's instructions and avoid disruptive behavior.

For teen drivers heading to or from school, the NTSB recommends:

Drive slowly and alert, slowing down in school zones, and watching for pedestrians, and school buses. Also, avoid distractions, such as eating, using cell phones, or distractions from passengers. Leave early to avoid stress. Maintain a safe following distance. And, always follow school bus laws, including stopping for buses with flashing red lights and extended stop arms.

For anyone driving while children and school buses are heading to and from schools:

Know the school bus lights: Yellow flashing lights mean the bus is preparing to stop, so you should slow down and be ready to stop. Red flashing lights and an extended stop arm mean the bus has stopped. You must stop until the lights are off, stop arm is retracted and the bus moves. Never pass a stopped school bus. Watch for children in school zones and near bus stops.

Another area of back-to-school safety involves the first day of school pictures that many parents take and then post on social media. The Child Rescue Coalition offers suggestions for protecting your child's privacy and safety when posting such photos.

Avoid sharing identifying details. Do not post your child's full name, name of the school, teacher's name or grade. Also, check the background when taking those photos to avoid posting license plates, house numbers, street signs or school logos. Also, turn off location tagging, and review privacy settings before posting to make sure your posts are only visible to family and friends.

By following these suggestions, you will help keep your child, and other children in your neighborhood, safe on the first day of school and beyond.