School Bus Safety Tips for Kids

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com on behalf of the Propane Education & Research Council.

Now that the school year is in full swing, we are definitely getting into a routine on weekday mornings. From getting two kids fed & dressed for school and making it to the bus stop on time, our mornings can be somewhat hectic! Both of my children take the school bus this year so today I want to talk all about school bus safety!

By the way, do you know the difference between traditional diesel-powered buses and the newer propane-powered school buses? I’ll be sharing many more details later, but the quick version is that propane buses are cleaner, safer & more affordable than traditional school buses. When it comes to transporting our kids to & from school, choosing the very best technology available is crucial. Now let’s look at some general school bus safety tips.

School Bus Safety Tips for Kids

Getting Dressed
School bus safety actually starts at home. When it’s time to get dressed for school, make sure there are no loose drawstrings or other dangling objects from the child’s clothing & backpack (long earrings or hanging key chains, for example). Make sure that sneaker laces are tied (do a double-knot for extra security) and that backpacks are fully zipped.

Walking to the Bus Stop
Don’t wait until the last minute to get to the bus stop. Leave at least five minutes of extra time to get to the stop so you don’t find yourself running across the street, dangerously trying to catch up with a school bus. If your child is old enough to walk without a parent, encourage him/her to walk with friends. Bigger groups are easier for drivers to see.

At the Bus Stop
When it comes to safety at the bus stop, make sure the child waits for the bus on the sidewalk and steps off the curb only after the bus has stopped & opened its doors. Avoid the temptation to wait inside a car or house, where the driver wouldn’t be able to see the students. Also, make sure the child is not playing with balls or any other toys that could roll into the street.

Getting On/Off the Bus
When children step off the bus, tell them to look to the right to make sure there are no oncoming vehicles. Also, if your child drops something while getting on or off the bus, tell them never to reach under the bus to grab it. Encourage them to leave it where it is and to notify the bus driver. As with any set of steps, it’s always safest to use a handrail when going up or down.

On the Bus
On the bus, tell your child to stay seated facing forward at all times. Tell them to keep their arms and head inside the vehicle during the full ride.

Has your child’s school district implemented any programs to educate students on safe school bus behavior? Be sure to ask your district if they are doing everything they can to keep kids safe as they ride buses to / from school! Speaking of safer rides to school, did you know that propane school buses are safer for children? In fact, The Propane Education & Research Council is a nonprofit that provides leading propane safety programs and invests in the development of new propane-powered technologies.

Here are some reasons why propane-powered school buses are a better choice than the traditional diesel-powered buses:
1. They’re quieter & safer!
School bus drivers are tasked with the all-important responsibility of safely transporting kids to/from school every day. Did you know that propane gas engines are 50% quieter than diesel engines?! That means the ride is quieter making it easier for the driver to focus. Furthermore, standard features built into propane vehicle fuel systems (like an automatic shut-off valve that stops the flow of fuel when not running) means that the bus is designed with safety in mind. Another unique feature of propane school buses is that they’re crash-tested for impact in the side and rear; they meet the high safety standards of the U.S. FMVSS.
2. They’re cleaner!
Did you know that diesel engine exhaust is a carcinogen? Yes, according to the World Health Organization and the Environmental Protection Agency, the chemicals in diesel engine exhaust have the potential to cause cancer. Let’s not put our kids’ health in jeopardy by continuing to expose them to these harmful compounds. Even conditions like asthma (and other breathing-related issues) are exacerbated when exposed to diesel exhaust. With the availability of newer propane school buses, now is the time to make the switch. The future health of our kids depends on it!
3. They’re cheaper!
Propane costs less per gallon than diesel. This will save school districts a significant amount of money in fuel costs, potentially leaving more money available to invest in newer teaching technologies, textbooks and other classroom items.

Is your child’s school bus powered by propane? Learn more about the benefits of propane school buses here and be sure to encourage your school district to institute bus safety guidelines for school-age kids taking the bus every day!

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