Set the Stage for a
Healthy School Year
School presents lots of opportunities
for parents to help maintain their
child’s health, well-being, and
safety. Follow these tips from the first day
to avoid common risks throughout the
whole school year.
The risk: too many missed days
How to avoid it:- Prevent illness from serious diseases by keeping your child’s vaccinations up-to-date. Talk with your child’s health care provider about which vaccinations are right for your child. Older children may need immunization against:
- The flu. School-age children have been designated one of the top priorities for the H1N1 (swine) flu vaccine. Check with your school to see if an immunization program will be available.
- Meningococcal disease
- Whooping cough, tetanus, and diphtheria
- Human papillomavirus
- Help your child avoid becoming overweight or obese. Eating more fruits and veggies is a healthy—and safe—weight-control strategy for students. Use lunchtime to up your child’s quota by packing tomato soup or pizza with veggies and less cheese.
- Arm your child with confidence and good social skills to keep bullying at bay.
The risk: car or bus accident traveling to and from school
How to avoid it:- The greatest risk isn’t riding a bus. It’s approaching or leaving it. Children should stay at least three giant steps (6 feet) away from the curb when the bus pulls up. After exiting, they should walk the same distance away from the bus. Remind your child to never walk behind a bus.
- Encourage your teen driver to avoid distractions, which can contribute to crashes, and set a good example when you drive. Strongly discourage cell phone use while driving. Also set limits on how many teenage passengers your teen driver can transport.
The risk: backpack-related back injury
How to avoid it:- Make sure backpacks don’t weigh more than 10 percent of your child’s body weight.
- Advise your child to leave noneducational items in lockers or at home.
- Use a two-strap backpack. Think of what kind of backpack you’d purchase if your child were going on a hike. A backpack with well-padded straps and a waist strap provides better support for the lower spine. Remind your child to always wear both straps.
