Families prepare as school days approach Published Aug. 13, 2010 By Catherine McNally Hilltop Times staff HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- Families prepare as school days approach It's that time again -- time to count down to the first day of school. Along with all the excitement of new clothes, school supplies and getting to see old friends again, parents and children should also keep in mind a few safety tips as well. While the school bus or a parent's car may be the most popular modes of transportation to and from class, a lot of children still walk to school. Although many crosswalks near schools are staffed by crossing guards who act to safely escort children across busy streets, it's important to be aware of crosswalk safety and etiquette -- whether you are a driver or a pedestrian. Motorists Drivers should always remember that pedestrians have the right of way when the "walk" signal is lit up at a crosswalk. Even if the "walk" signal isn't lit up, remain cautious and keep an eye out for anyone who might decide to step into the street. If you are stopped at a stop sign, be sure to not stop your car in the middle of the crosswalk. "Slow down and use caution in residential areas, around schools, playgrounds, parks, bus stops or other areas where children and other pedestrians are common," says the Heads Up Utah website. According to the website, speeding is the cause of 32 percent of all fatal motor vehicle crashes. "Going the speed limit versus just five miles an hour over the speed limit means the difference of being able to stop for a young child that darts out into the street versus hitting... the child," Heads Up Utah says. Drivers making left or right turns should also keep an eye out for any pedestrians crossing the street they are turning on to. Pedestrians Pedestrians may have the right of way at a crosswalk --- marked or unmarked -- but it is always better to err on the side of caution and watch for oncoming traffic. In fact, many pedestrians have actually been hit by a car while in the middle of a crosswalk. Don't assume that you're safe if you're using the crosswalk, and if you are using a crosswalk that is manned by a crossing guard, wait for them to escort you across. If you see an oncoming car, wait and make sure they are going to stop before stepping out into the road. Even if you see the driver, the driver may not see you. "Be a defensive pedestrian and don't put your safety in the hands of motorists," advises Heads Up Utah. If you are out walking at night, be sure to wear reflective clothing so that vehicles can clearly see you. Even white or brightly colored clothing can sometimes be difficult to see at night. Pedestrians should also use a sidewalk whenever they can. "If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic along the shoulder of the roadway," says Heads Up Utah. Backpack blues Another aspect of walking that parents and children might overlook is how heavy their backpacks might be. When shopping for a new backpack this school year, parents should look for the following qualities, as provided by KidsHealth.org: * No shoulder bags. Messenger bags might be the "in" thing, but they don't distribute weight evenly and can cause back pain. "Compared with shoulder bags, messenger bags or purses, backpacks are better because the strongest muscles in the body -- the back and the abdominal muscles -- support the weight of the packs." * Lightweight. A backpack shouldn't add a lot of weight to your child's load. * Wide shoulder straps. Both straps should be wide and padded. Narrow straps can dig into shoulders and possibly even affect circulation and nerves. Children should also always use both shoulder straps at the same time. The straps should be adjusted so that the bottom of the backpack sits about 2 inches above the child's waist. * Padded back. Padding not only adds extra comfort for your child, but also protects them from being poked by any sharp edges, such as pencils, rules and books. * Waist belt. It may not be the coolest fashion statement, but waist belts help to distribute the weight of the backpack more evenly across your child's body. * Compartments. Not only are these an organizer's dream, but they can also help to distribute weight more evenly. Parents should also be aware of how much their child's backpack weighs. "Doctors and physical therapists recommend that kids carry packs of no more than 10 to 15 percent of their body weight -- but less is always better," says KidsHealth.org. Large, bulky backpacks can not only cause health problems for your child, but also pose a risk at school. "Kids who carry large packs often aren't aware of how much space the packs take up and can hit others with their packs when turning around or moving through tight spaces," KidsHealth.org adds. Large packs can also trip other students if left on the floor and might also cause children to lose their balance on the stairs. If you're worried about your child's textbooks, notebooks and homework being too heavy for them to carry, you might consider purchasing a rolling backpack. However, parents should be aware that this style of backpack can cause problems when children need to roll them upstairs or through the snow. Also, some schools may not allow rolling backpacks as they can pose a tripping hazard in the hallways, so check with your school before making a purchase. Other solutions to a heavy backpack are: * Encourage your child to use their locker more frequently between classes * Don't carry unnecessary items * Only bring home the materials and books they need for that night * Plan for homework so that your child doesn't need to carry all of their materials home on Friday * Place heavier items, such as textbooks, closer to the center of the back For more information on pedestrian safety, please visit Heads Up Utah at http://headsuputah.com/. For more information on backpack safety, please visit KidsHealth.org at http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/learning/backpack.html.