CHAMPAIGN, Ill (Chambana Today) – As students across Central Illinois prepare to head back to the classroom, the American Red Cross is reminding families to take extra precautions to ensure a safe start to the school year.
From pedestrian safety to bus behavior and bike rules, the Red Cross has issued a comprehensive checklist designed to help parents teach children key safety habits, especially those heading to school for the first time.
Among the tips:
- Young children should know their phone number, home address, and how to dial 911.
- Walkers should use sidewalks and cross at corners.
- Bus riders should stay visible and wait for the driver’s cue before boarding.
- Cyclists should wear helmets and ride with traffic.
- Student athletes are urged to wear proper protective gear and know where to find first aid supplies.
Drivers are also reminded to slow down in school zones and to stop when school buses are loading or unloading — whether behind the bus or approaching from the opposite direction, unless separated by a physical barrier.
The safety push comes as Red Cross volunteers responded to five home fires last week in Gridley, Peoria, Marshall, and Fairbury, helping 29 people, including children, who were displaced or affected. Volunteers provided emergency housing, supplies, and mental health support for families facing the aftermath of unexpected disaster.
The Red Cross continues to encourage families to download its free First Aid and Emergency apps, available in app stores or at redcross.org/apps, for safety information and weather alerts on the go.
For more information or to support local Red Cross efforts, visit redcross.org.
