Back to School

The clothes fit, backpacks are filled, and lunches are packed; but there might be one more thing parents need to consider before sending their child back to school - safety. UL encourages moms and dads to and take advantage of teachable moments and begin cultivating a safety IQ by sharing important safety information. In essence, helping children become Safety Smart^®.

Accidents happen

• In the U.S. children sustain an estimated of 14 million unintentional injuries each year. Many of these injuries are disabling and life threatening. Therefore, it's crucial that parents continuously reinforce safety tips with their children throughout the school year.

Emergency and Fire Preparedness

• Emergency Information -- Children should know their name, number and address before leaving the home. Make sure your child knows his/her full name, parents' full names, address (including city and state), and phone number (including area code) before leaving the home.
• Fire Escape Plan -- If there is a fire in the building - GET OUT - quickly and safely! Make sure your child knows that the first thing they should do in the event of a fire is to get out of the building. Reinforce fire safety knowledge by discussing the importance of learning and participating in fire escape drills at home and at school.
• Fire Know-How -- Get down and get out! Remind children that smoke is lighter than air and will rise to the ceiling. If they see smoke they should get down and get out and never re-enter a burning building.

Keeping Playtime Fun and Safe

• Play Set Safety -- Reinforce the safe way to play on the play set! Make sure your children know the right way to use equipment! Use both hands on swings; slide down the slide feet first; and don't stand on the see-saw: these are some useful tips to share with your children.
• Bike Helmet Safety -- When riding a bike, wear a bike helmet! While a law in many states, parents need to require their child wear a helmet at all times when riding a bicycle, and should set the example by wearing a helmet too.
• Backpack Safety -- Pack it light and right! Pack and organize your child's backpack to use all of its compartments - the backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of the child's body weight.
• Child Product Safety -- Stay aware of product recalls. Make sure your have up-to-date information on recalled toys and children's products. Always follow manufacturers' age recommendations and only let your child play with age appropriate toys.

Update Your Safety IQ

• Electrical Safety -- Electrical outlets are not toys! Teach children not to put their fingers or any objects in an uncovered electrical outlet. If they find an uncovered outlet, encourage them to tell an adult so they can cover it with an outlet plug cover.
• Clothing Safety -- Sweatshirts and jackets with drawstrings have been banned for more than 10 years. In the late 1990s CPSC has banned child-sized garments with hazardous drawstrings around the neck of sweatshirts / jackets, you should avoid dressing your child in clothing that anything that may pose a strangulation hazard.
• Stay Safety Smart: Buy Safety-Tested Products -- Trust your gut - shop at stores you trust and inspect product packaging. Only shop at retailers you know and trust, look for the UL Mark when purchasing products, and examine products for a brand name, manufacturers name or product name/identity.