Ready for a New School Year? Don't Miss These Safety Tips!

It’s that time again: new backpacks, fresh notebooks, and the hustle of getting back into routine. As parents, we do everything we can to make sure our kids are prepared for the school year, but along with packing lunchboxes and labeling supplies, it’s just as important to think about safety.

Here are five practical back-to-school safety tips to help protect your child and give you peace of mind.

1. Talk to your child’s teacher about CPR and AED readiness

Emergencies can happen when you least expect them. Every year, more than 23,000 children under 18 go into cardiac arrest outside of a hospital. About 40% of those events are tied to sports.

In schools with AEDs, about 70% of children survive a cardiac arrest. That’s seven times higher than the national average.

In Texas, a new law called Senate Bill 865 was passed in honor of Landon Payton, a middle schooler who collapsed during gym class. The school’s AED didn’t work because the battery had expired. The new law now requires schools to keep AEDs regularly checked and ready to use.

What you can do: Ask if your child’s school has a working AED and if teachers or coaches are trained in CPR. If not, speak up. It could save a life.

2. Review your child’s allergy plan with the school

If your child has food allergies, or any life-threatening allergy like bee stings or medication reactions, make sure the school is fully prepared.

Here’s your back-to-school checklist:

• If your child uses an EpiPen/Auvi-Q, double check that it is not expired.

• Provide an Allergy Action Plan signed by your doctor.

• Give a copy to the school nurse and your child’s teacher.

• Make sure the plan includes when to use the EpiPen/Auvi-Q.

Food allergies affect about 5.6 million American children. The more the school staff knows about your child’s specific needs, the better they can respond in an emergency.

And believe it or not, more children have asthma than food allergies. About 6.5 million children in the U.S. have asthma, according to the CDC. If this includes your child, make sure the teacher and the nurse have an Asthma Action Plan for your child as well as an asthma inhaler. A child can begin to self-carry their epinephrine and asthma inhaler around age 11.

3. Say yes to the ECG during sports physicals

If your child plays sports, you’ve probably already scheduled a physical. But there’s one part of that checkup you don’t want to skip: the ECG (or EKG).

This simple heart test can detect serious conditions that often don’t show symptoms. Some schools offer it as optional. It shouldn’t be. Getting the ECG could make all the difference in catching a hidden heart problem early.

Ask your doctor to include it, and encourage your school to make it standard for all athletes.

4. Help your child beat the heat

The start of school usually comes with serious summer heat. If your child plays sports or spends a lot of time outside during the school day, talk to them about staying cool and hydrated.

Unlike adults, kids don’t regulate body temperature as well, and they’re more likely to overheat quickly. Even mild dehydration can affect how your child feels and performs.

Encourage them to:

• Drink water regularly throughout the day, not just at practice.

• Take breaks in the shade.

• Let a teacher or coach know if they feel dizzy or nauseous.

5. Update emergency contacts and health info

Before the first day, take a few minutes to review and update your child’s emergency contacts, medical forms, and allergy or medication instructions. If anything has changed since last year, now is the time to fix it. Make sure the front office, school nurse and teachers all have accurate information on how to reach you and what to do if your child needs help.

Remember, safety starts at home. You can’t prevent every emergency, but you can prepare for them. Talk to your child, ask questions at school, and make sure the right safety steps are in place.

If you'd like to learn more or schedule a training session, I’d love to hear from you. Just reach out at cprandsafetylady@gmail.com.

Have a safe and fun school year!

Gail Gould

CPR and Safety Lady