One thing is certain when kids go off to school: Grades are less important than safety. From getting on the bus to being bullied, there are plenty of potential problems, concedes Glenn R. Rosenberg, vice president of AlliedBarton Security Services higher education division. Rosenberg is a former university administrator, management consultant and business developer. Here’s what he identified as top concerns-as well as his tips to minimize the dangers.

Buses: Patience and safety go hand-in-hand. Teach your kids to stay at the bus stop, in clear view of the driver, and wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before approaching. No matter how eager they are to get off the bus, it’s important for them to stay seated while the bus is moving. Once it stops, exit directly to the sidewalk, out of the street and away from traffic.

Backpack: No parents want to give their kids back problems. But that’s just what they risk doing if they chose the wrong backpack or even pack the right one improperly. The best options have two wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back. Teach your kids to use both straps and pack as lightly as possible. Some parents like rolling backpacks for carrying heavier loads, but the bags aren’t very popular with kids-and they still have to be carried up and down stairs. No matter what bag you chose, limit the weight. A backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of the student’s body weight.

Bullying: It’s hard for a parent to imagine his child being bullied. But if it happens, Rosenberg said the best strategy is to make eye contact, stay calm and walk away. Make sure your kids know bullying is unacceptable, and that cheering or encouraging anyone to intimidate another is dangerous. If bullying is persistent, meet with the school administration and staff to develop practical solutions.

Stranger Danger: Kids usually learn this term in kindergarten. But you may need to remind older ones, even college age students, that people are not always who they say they are or what they seem. It’s an important lesson, both in person and online.

The Internet: Whether they go online to research an assignment or just converse with friends, have an understanding with your kids about appropriate content and potential dangers.

Cars: Young kids should be in age and size appropriate car or booster seats. Older children should always wear their safety belts. Teens…well, teens need special attention. Remind them to focus on the road and minimize distractions, from cell phones to friends, while driving. Curfews, driver education classes and your good examples can help reduce risks.

Bike Helmets: A properly fitting bike helmet–horizontal on the head, with a comfortable fit-can prevent injury and death. The front should be about two fingertips’ width above the eyes, and the Y-shaped side straps should hit just below the ears. The chinstrap should fit snuggly, but leave enough room to open the mouth widely.

Money: Resist the urge to give your kids credit cards, debit cards or large sums of cash when they go to school. It can make them targets for thieves. Give them only what they need for the day.

Home Alone: Don’t let young children unsupervised afterschool. Get a babysitter or sign them up for a commercial program (just take the time to check the staff’s training, the child-to-staff ratio and the rooms and playground). Give older kids clear guidelines regarding friends, homework and use of the stove. Be vigilant when you get home-and look for signs of any irresponsible behavior.

Walking to School: Teach kids to walk on a sidewalk or as far to the side of the road as possible, be aware and cautious of their surroundings, pay attention to all traffic signals and crossing guards and never walk alone, especially when taking an unfamiliar route.

Bookmark: