1 South Portland School Department South Portland School Department Transportation Department Proudly presents

2 South Portland School Department South Portland School Department Transportation Department School Bus Rider Safety Series

3 South Portland School Department South Portland School Department Transportation Department I WANT YOU TO RIDE THE BUS SAFELY

4 South Portland School Department South Portland School Department Transportation Department School Bus Safety Is A TEAM Effort. Nothing Is More Precious Than A Child’s Life.

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7 Volume I “THE DANGER ZONE” And Drawstring Safety

8 South Portland School Department South Portland School Department Transportation Department Part 1 “THE DANGER ZONE”

9 South Portland School Department South Portland School Department Transportation Department Do You Know What “THE DANGER ZONE” Is?

10 South Portland School Department South Portland School Department Transportation Department "THE DANGER ZONE" is the ten-foot area around the school bus. This area is especially dangerous because you can stand in places where the school bus driver can’t see you.

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15 Students should always be very careful around "THE DANGER ZONE.” When you get off of the bus, take ten BIG steps away from the bus. South Portland School Department South Portland School Department Transportation Department

16 If the you have to cross the street, you MUST look at the driver to see the hand signal to cross the road to make sure you have a safe crossing. You are also expected to check for traffic on your own. If you hear the horn, look at the driver, because there may be DANGER ahead. South Portland School Department South Portland School Department Transportation Department

17 South Portland School Department South Portland School Department Transportation Department Part 2 Drawstring Safety

18 South Portland School Department South Portland School Department Transportation Department WARNING!!! DRAWSTRINGS AND OTHER ITEMS MAY CATCH ON THE SCHOOL BUS AND YOU COULD BE STRANGLED

19 South Portland School Department South Portland School Department Transportation Department IMPORTANT SCHOOL BUS SAFETY ALERT! Protect yourself when riding the school bus.

20 South Portland School Department South Portland School Department Transportation Department Certain types of clothing can be dangerous when you get off the school bus. Especially dangerous are: Long drawstrings on jackets and sweatshirts Backpacks and backpack straps Long scarves and other loose clothing

21 South Portland School Department South Portland School Department Transportation Department Clothing like this can get caught in the handrail, door, or other equipment on the school bus. A number of children across the U.S. have had their clothing caught as they got off the bus. Some of these children lost their lives.

22 South Portland School Department South Portland School Department Transportation Department PARENTS & TEACHERS Please take the time to check clothing to make sure that it is safe. If there is a potential hazard, please discuss the situation and take measures to prevent tragedy.

23 South Portland School Department South Portland School Department Transportation Department Talk to your parents & teachers about the following safety rules: Avoid THE DANGER ZONE around the bus Don’t try to pick up something you drop near the bus - the bus driver might not see you. Remember that other cars don’t always stop for a stopped school bus. BE CAREFUL when getting on or off the bus!

24 South Portland School Department South Portland School Department Transportation Department Have Mom or Dad REMOVE drawstrings immediately, OR SEW a seam through the drawstrings at the middle of the hood and neck so neither end can pull out and catch on an object, AND CUT all string ends as short as needed to close the garment.

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26 South Portland School Department South Portland School Department Transportation Department ALWAYS Follow The School Bus Safety Rules

27 South Portland School Department South Portland School Department Transportation Department Have A SAFE School Year!

28 South Portland School Department South Portland School Department Transportation Department For More Information About School Bus Safety, Visit Our Website At transportation/index