1000 SW Jackson
Suite 230
Topeka, KS 66612-1274
(785) 296-1223
(785) 296-8645 (FAX)

Coordinator:
Jan Stegelman

Executive Committee
Dennis Cooley, MD
Medical Advisor
American Academy of
Pediatrics, Kansas
Chapter

Vanda Easley
State Farm Insurance
Companies

Cindy Hermes
State Capitol Area
Firefighters Association

Ami Hyten
Kansas Trial Lawyers
Association

Elena Nuss
Kansas State
Fire Marshall's Office

Rosanne Rutkowski
Kansas State Nurses
Association

Cindy Yelkin
Kansas Hospital
Association

Safety Tips for School Bus Safety Week
School Bus Safety Week is October 19-25

About 23.5 million students ride school buses daily. Although this is one of the safest ways to travel to and from school, injuries do occur. In 2000, 30 children ages 14 and under were killed in school bus-related traffic crashes. An estimated 6,000 children were injured in school bus-related incidents. More than half of the children killed were pedestrians. "Many school bus related injuries happen when children are boarding or exiting the bus," said Jan Stegelman, Coordinator of the Kansas SAFE KIDS Coalition. "A blind spot extends about 10 feet in front of the bus, obstructing the driver's view. Children may not be aware of this blind spot and might mistakenly believe that if they can see the bus, the bus driver can see them." Kansas SAFE KIDS offers these important tips for parents and caregivers to review with their children during school bus safety week this year:

Waiting for the Bus

A child's behavior at the bus stop is a very important aspect of school bus safety. Children should remember these safety tips while waiting for the bus:

• Arrive at the stop at least five minutes before the bus arrives.
• Stay out of the street and avoid horseplay.
• Cross the street at least 10 feet (or 10 giant steps) in front of the bus.

Boarding and Leaving the Bus

When boarding or leaving the bus, children should always:

• Walk in a single file line.
• Use the handrail to avoid falls.
• Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before exiting.
• Exit from the front of the bus.
• Always wait for parents on the same side of the street as the school bus loading/unloading zone.
• Be aware of the driver's blind spot (10 feet in front of the bus) when walking away from the bus.
• Remove loose drawstrings or ties on jackets and sweatshirts, and replace with Velcro, snaps or buttons. Loose drawstrings or book bags can snag on bus handrails.
• Ask the bus driver for help if anything is dropped while entering or exiting the bus.

On the Bus

While on the bus, children should observe the following safety rules:

• Keep heads and arms inside the bus at all times.
• Remain seated at all times and keep the aisles clear.
• Do not throw objects.
• Do not shout or distract the driver unnecessarily

Kansas SAFE KIDS, Inc. is a nonprofit coalition of 67 statewide organizations and businesses dedicated to preventing unintentional injuries to Kansas children ages 0-14. Local coalitions and chapters are located in Anderson, Clay, Dickinson, Doniphan, Douglas, Ford, Franklin, Johnson, Marion, Montgomery, Osage, Pottawatomie, Rice, Saline, and Shawnee Counties, as well as Chanute, Hutchinson, Junction City, Leavenworth, Manhattan, Norton, Pittsburg, and Wichita. Kansas SAFE KIDS is affiliated with the National SAFE KIDS Campaign.