Yuma Police Department shares school safety tips for students

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The Yuma Police Department (YPD) has provided back-to-school tips to ensure the safety of children.

YPD says school zones are in place, which are set at 15 miles per hour for drivers.

Drivers should also be aware of parents and students riding bicycles and who are walking.

YPD encourages parents to plan ahead for any delays and the time it'll take to take their students to school.

The following are specific tips provided by YPD:

· Ensure your child leaves early enough to get to school 10 minutes prior to the start of school.

· Use the same route every day and avoid shortcuts.

· Go straight home after school.

· Students should use public sidewalks and streets when walking to school.

· Choose the safest route between home and school and practice walking it with children until they can demonstrate traffic safety awareness.

· Walk to school with other students. Strength in numbers.

· Teach children to recognize and obey traffic signals and pavement markings.

· Cross at designated crosswalks, street corners and traffic-controlled intersections.

· Always look both ways before crossing the street and never enter streets from between parked cars or from behind shrubbery.

· Walk- don’t run- across intersections. A flashing “walk” signal or the crossing guard in the street does not mean it’s safe to cross, double check the intersection is clear.

· Avoid talking to strangers and get distance between themselves and anyone who tries to approach or make contact with them.

· Never get into a vehicle with a person even if they know them without parent permission. If a stranger approaches, tell a trusted adult such as a parent or teacher.