Be Safe, Be Smart

Back to school is here and the streets of Hamilton are sure to be busy over the next few weeks. First Choice Martial Arts wants you and your child to stay safe this school year as you transition back to class. Every September there is a buzz in the air as kids, parents and teachers gear up for the back-to-school season. As parents, we get organized with lunches, supplies and family calendars that map out our kid's sports and extracurricular activities. One area that is equally important is our child’s safety, which is why we’ve compiled a list of 7 important back-to-school safety tips.

Adults:

  1. Slow down on the roadways. Kids are out and all it takes is one bumble bee to make a child jump out of the way and potentially onto the road. Driving slower will give drivers better reaction time as well as help them anticipate any mishaps on the road.
  2. Put the phone away. First, it is against the law and secondly, it is completely dangerous. In Ontario, deaths from collisions caused by distracted driving have doubled since 2000.
  3. Watch out for school buses. Summer drivers have gotten used to buses being absent within our communities. It is time to take caution be extra vigilant and yield to buses.
  4. Give yourself extra time. Roads are slower at this time of year due to increased traffic and construction. Having some extra time can allow drivers to feel more at ease when travelling and reduce the need to rush.

Children:

  1. Put the screens away. Kids need to stay focused and alert when travelling to school.
  2. Cross at designated areas. It is hard for drivers to see kids in between parked cars, additionally, they might not be expecting kids to cross in undesignated areas. Play it safe, be visible and always make eye contact when crossing.
  3. The daylight savings change and fall approaching will make it get darker earlier. Being visible with bright clothing in the twilight hours can make you safer when travelling or playing with your friends.

With that in mind, we look forward to this fall season and can’t wait to see our karate students get stronger and more disciplined from another year of awesome training.

Remember, one who learns but does not think may see great danger!

Sensei Chris

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