The Natrona County Sheriff's Office and the School District offer safety and other tips as the first day of the new school year begins Aug. 28, according to a press release.

"As our community prepares to send our children back to school, we must prioritize their safety and well-being," Sheriff's Office and School District spokeswomen Kiera Grogan and Tanya Southerland said.

These back-to-school safety reminders, can ensure a safe, successful, and exceptional school year.

KNOW THE SIGNS:

  • Motorists should be aware of school zones and always obey all traffic laws.
  • Familiarize yourself with important traffic signs, crosswalks, and school zones during your daily commute and throughout your neighborhood and the entire county.
  • Pay careful attention to school zones, bus stops, stop signs, and other important traffic elements to keep students safe while walking, riding, busing, or biking to and from school.
  • School bus stop signs: Red means stop, both flashing lights and/or the stop sign.

PLAN WITH A PURPOSE:

  • Now is a great time to have proactive conversations with your children regarding their daily walk or ride to and from school and discuss simple safety measures to keep them safe.
  • Talk to your children about recognizing and obeying traffic signals, signs, and pavement markings.
  • If your children walk or bike to and from school, remind them to be aware of their surroundings and to put down distractions such as cell phones and headphones.
  • Always look both ways before crossing the street, and only cross the street using a crosswalk.
  • Walk and never run across intersections.
  • Never enter streets from behind parked cars, shrubbery, signs or other objects that may block your view or the view motorists have of you.
  • Always wear a helmet and appropriate safety gear when biking and riding to and from school.

DIGITAL SAFETY REMINDERS:

  • The start of a new school year is an excellent opportunity to open a conversation with your child about being safe online.
  • The best way to keep your kids safe online is to know who they are talking to. Have an honest, age-appropriate conversation with your kids about online expectations and, most importantly, tell a parent or trusted adult if they ever encounter an uncomfortable situation online.

THE “SAY NO, GO AND TELL” RULE:

  • Teach your students about the “Say NO, GO and TELL" safety rule.
  • If anyone approaches your child, offers them a ride, asks for directions or makes them feel uncomfortable, instruct them to say “NO,” GO away from the situation, and TELL a trusted adult. Trusted adults may be parents, teachers, police officers, firefighters or relatives.

BE ALERT -- NEVER DRIVE DISTRACTED:

  • Eliminate distractions while driving.
  • Never text and drive.
  • Keep your eyes on the road.
  • Talk with your teen drivers about the critical importance of avoiding distracted driving.

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