Back to School - What You Should Know

• 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 numbers of your parent(s) 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 someone 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 around younger children, vandalism or graffiti for example -- tell your parents, a teacher, or another trusted adult.