The scoop on school bus safety

For many children, the beginning of the school year means their first time ever riding a school bus or getting back on the bus for the first time since summer break.

Some of the basic safety tips adults take for granted can be entirely new to smaller children or easily forgotten after a summer playing in the sun.

This is why Laidlaw Education Services, North America's largest provider of student bus services, is offering some safety suggestions to make the ride to and from school a safe one:

+Leave home early. When you rush, you tend to forget traffic safety rules.

+Walk on sidewalks wherever available.

+When waiting for the bus, stay away from the street. Don't play around because you may be distracted and may not follow traffic safety rules.

+Make sure children have no drawstrings, toggles or key chains on their clothes or backpacks. They can get caught on bus handrails and doors.

+Grab the handrail so you don't trip on the stairs.

+Find a seat and sit down immediately.

+You can talk quietly to your friends and laugh, but do not scream because it may distract the driver.

+Do not put your head, arms, papers or anything out the window.

+Wait for the bus to stop completely before you stand up.

+Take 10 giant steps away from the bus when you get off.

Laidlaw, which transports more than 2 million students to and from school each day, is also offering more safety information and tips on its website at www.laidlawschoolbus.com, accessible by clicking on "Parents Corner" in the main menu.

This story provided by StatePoint Media.