Information on this page is provided to assist young people in their understanding towards their own safety and the safety of others.

 

Bonfire and Firework Safety

Walking/biking to school

Riding a car

Riding a bus

Education Scotland

Safely to school

Sports Academy

 

Visit the DTI Fireworks and You website to read the Firework Safety Code and find out more about how to have fun with fireworks, safely.

• Site well away from houses, garages, sheds, fences, overhead cables, trees and shrubs AND ALWAYS AWAY FROM FIREWORKS.

• Before lighting the fire check that no pets or children are hiding inside it.

• Build the stack so that it is stable and will not collapse outwards or to one side.

• NEVER use flammable liquids - paraffin or petrol - to light the fire.

• Don't burn foam-filled furniture, aerosols, and tins of paint or bottles.

• Keep everyone away from the fire - especially children, who must be supervised all the time.

• For an emergency keep buckets of water, the garden hose or a fire extinguisher ready.

• Pour water on the embers before leaving.

Riding the Bus
School bus transportation is safe. In fact, buses are safer than cars!

Have a safe place to wait for your bus, away from traffic and the street.

• Stay away from the bus until it comes to a complete stop and the driver signals you to enter.

• When being dropped off, exit the bus and walk ten giant steps away from the bus. Keep a safe distance between you and the bus. Also, remember that the bus driver can see you best when you are back away from the bus.

• Use the handrail to enter and exit the bus.

• Stay away from the bus until the driver gives his/her signal that it's okay to approach.

• Be aware of the street traffic around you. Drivers are required to follow certain rules of the road concerning school buses, however, not all do. Protect yourself and watch out!

Walking and Biking to School
Even if you don't ride in a motor vehicle, you still have to protect yourself. Because of minimal supervision, young pedestrians face a wide variety of decisions making situations and dangers while walking to and from school. Here are a few basic safety tips to follow:

• Mind all traffic signals and/or the crossing guard -- never cross the street against a light, even if you don't see any traffic coming.

• Walk your bike through intersections.

• Walk with a friend.

• Wear reflective material...it makes you more visible to street traffic.

Riding a car

• You might have heard before that most traffic crashes occur close to home ... they do.

• Safety belts are the best form of protection passengers have in the event of a crash. They can lower your risk of injury by 45%.

• You are four times more likely to be seriously injured or killed if ejected from the vehicle in a crash.

• Everyone needs to be buckled up properly. That means older kids in seat belts, younger kids in booster seats and little kids in child safety seats.