With school starting up again, there are a lot of opportunities to ensure you have a successful and safe back-to-school experience. A new school year is often like a new beginning, giving you the opportunity to make changes that might be necessary. Here are three tips to follow to help keep you and your children safe and prepared during the back-to-school season.
Update Emergency Contact Information
The beginning of the school year is the perfect time to update your emergency contact information. You are probably giving this information to your schools already, but it’s a good idea to keep a list at home or in your phone. Also, make sure your contacts are still who you want them to be. If it’s been a year or more, perhaps a good friend moved out of town or maybe your parents are no longer a good option. It’s also a good idea to remind your emergency contacts that you are listing them as emergency contacts! It gives them a chance to let you know if anything has changed in their life to not make them able to help you in an emergency situation.
Revisit Cell Phone Usage Rules
Do your kids have cell phones? Do you have rules for what they can and cannot do with them? When they can be used and what is appropriate? Although cell phones can be incredibly useful in emergency situations or when instant communication is necessary, they also can be misused. If you don’t set clear rules on usage and enforce those rules, it can create an entirely new set of problems. Additionally, make sure to educate them on how to safely use their phones.
Gear up for Game Day
The start of school often means the start of sports. If you child is participating in sports this year, be sure to check the safety equipment they are using. If anything is worn or suspect, replace it with something new. Keeping your children safe is the number one priority when it comes to sports and spending the extra money on updated protective gear is never wasted. Additionally, if the school is providing the gear, be sure to check it thoroughly as well. If anything looks broken or worn out, request that the school purchase new equipment for your child, or offer to buy it yourself.
Taking the extra time to examine the safety protocols for your family will help keep them safe, not to mention the peace of mind you will get knowing you are being proactive about protecting your family.
If you or someone in your family has been injured through the fault or negligence of someone else, please contact me. I’m an Orange County Personal Injury Attorney and there are many ways to get compensation for the injuries sustained. You can call us at 949-496-7000. The first call is always free and we will help you understand your options.