September brings a wave of change for families — new teachers, new routines, and for many children, the first time navigating roads, buses, and crosswalks without a parent at their side. The start of the school year is a higher-risk time for child pedestrians and cyclists, as children adjust to new routes and drivers adjust to school-zone traffic (Parachute Canada).

This guide covers the practical safety steps that protect children on their way to school, during the day, and when they come home — from school bus rules to backpack ergonomics to building a first aid plan.

School Bus Safety

School buses are one of the safest ways for children to travel to school — far safer than being driven in a private passenger vehicle, according to Transport Canada and the Canada Safety Council. But the most dangerous moments are getting on and off the bus, when children are on foot near a large moving vehicle with significant blind spots.

Source: Transport Canada; Canada Safety Council (school bus safety).

Rules to Teach Your Child

• Stay back five giant steps from the bus until it has come to a complete stop and the door opens
• Never walk behind the bus — always cross at least 3 metres (10 feet) in front where the driver can see you
• Make eye contact with the driver before crossing in front of the bus
• Do not pick up dropped items near the bus — tell the driver instead. Bending down near the wheels puts you in the driver’s blind spot
• Stay seated with the seatbelt on (where provided) while the bus is moving
• Keep belongings and body parts inside the bus — no arms, heads, or backpacks hanging out of windows

Walking and Cycling to School

Pedestrian Safety

• Walk the route together several times before your child does it alone. Identify safe crossing points, traffic lights, and potential hazards
• Teach “stop, look both ways, listen, and look again” at every crossing — even with a green light or a crossing guard
• Stay on sidewalks. Where there are no sidewalks, walk facing oncoming traffic as far to the edge as possible
• No headphones or screens while walking near roads — distraction is a leading cause of pedestrian injuries (Parachute Canada)
• Wear bright or reflective clothing, especially in early morning or late afternoon when visibility is low

Cycling Safety

• Helmet every time. A properly fitted bicycle helmet substantially reduces the risk of serious head and brain injury (Parachute Canada). The helmet should sit level on the head, cover the forehead, and have straps that form a V shape under each ear
• Ride on the right side of the road, in the same direction as traffic
• Use hand signals for turns and stops
• Walk the bike across busy intersections
• Make sure the bike has working brakes, reflectors, and a bell. For low-light riding, front and rear lights are essential
• Children under 10 should cycle on sidewalks where local bylaws permit

Source: Ontario Highway Traffic Act, s.104 (bicycle helmets); Parachute Canada (helmet effectiveness and fit).

Backpack Safety

A heavy or poorly fitted backpack can contribute to back pain, neck strain, poor posture, and shoulder discomfort. The Canadian Paediatric Society advises that children carry no more than about 10–15% of their body weight in a loaded backpack.

Source: Canadian Paediatric Society (Caring for Kids — backpack safety).

1. Weigh the loaded pack. Keep it to about 10–15% of your child’s body weight, and clean it out weekly — children accumulate unnecessary weight (old papers, forgotten lunch containers, extra books)
2. Choose the right size — the backpack should not extend below the waist or above the shoulders when worn
3. Use both straps — always. Slinging the bag over one shoulder causes uneven loading and spinal stress
4. Adjust the straps so the pack sits snugly against the back with the heaviest items packed closest to the child’s back. Use the waist strap if the pack has one — it transfers weight from the shoulders to the hips

Emergency Contact and Medical Planning

Every school year starts with forms. Take them seriously — the emergency contact and medical information you provide could be critical if your child has an incident at school.

• Provide at least three emergency contacts who can be reached during school hours and who live close enough to arrive quickly
• Ensure the school has an up-to-date list of your child’s allergies, medications, and medical conditions
• If your child has a prescribed epinephrine auto-injector, ensure the school has a current, in-date one and that the teacher and office staff know where it is and how to use it. In Ontario, Sabrina’s Law requires school boards to have anaphylaxis policies in place
• Discuss your child’s emergency plan — do they know their full address, your phone number, and how to reach you?
• Teach them to identify safe adults (teachers, crossing guards, police officers) and what to do if they feel unsafe or lost

Source: Ontario Sabrina’s Law, 2005 (school anaphylaxis policies).

After-School First Aid Essentials

Scraped knees from recess, bumped heads from gym class, and the occasional stomachache are standard fare. Having basic first aid supplies at home ready to go saves trips to the pharmacy at inconvenient times. The items below reflect the standard first aid kit contents recommended by the Canadian Red Cross.

Source: Canadian Red Cross / AHA 2024 first aid kit contents (vault protocol: First aid kit).

Stranger Safety and Independence

As children gain independence — walking to school, waiting at the bus stop, playing at recess — they need practical safety awareness without fear-based messaging.

• Establish a family code word — only adults who know the word are authorised to pick up your child
• Teach “no, go, tell” — say no, run to a safe place, and tell a trusted adult
• Role-play scenarios: “What would you do if someone offered you a ride?” “What if you got separated from your group?”
• Identify safe places along the walking route — stores, fire stations, libraries — where your child can go for help