News release

Saskatchewan RCMP back-to-school safety tips

August 29, 2025 - Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan
From: Saskatchewan RCMP

Content

Saskatchewan RCMP back-to-school safety tips

Saskatchewan RCMP advise parents and caregivers to remind children in their care of the following safety precautions as they begin the new school year:

• Knowing how to cross a road safely: Remind children to stay alert, check for oncoming vehicles, and only cross at approved crossing locations. Encourage children to look both ways, as well as in front and behind them, before crossing any street, and teach them to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them, ensuring they are seen.
• Be aware of your surroundings: Encourage children to be aware of their surroundings, especially when they are walking or biking to and from school. Avoiding distractions like texting or listening to music with both ear buds in can help keep your child safe in high-traffic areas.
• School bus safety: Teach children to stand five large steps back from the curb while waiting for the school bus, and to wait until the bus comes to a complete stop and opens its doors before approaching it. If children must cross the road, remind them to always cross in front of the bus where the bus driver can see them.
• Biking and scootering to school safely: When biking or scootering to school, children should wear a helmet that is Canadian Standards Association (CSA) approved, follow traffic signs, and ride on the right side of the road. Install a horn or bell on children’s bikes and scooters so they can alert other travellers when needed.
• Travel with a buddy: Whether a child is walking or biking to school, whenever possible, it is encouraged that they travel with a friend or a group.

Children aren’t the only ones who need to be mindful of their surroundings. Whether you are a new or experienced driver, Saskatchewan RCMP remind everyone behind the wheel to take additional precautions when driving in and around school zones and parks. Drivers are reminded to:

• Be aware of school zones: Slow down and follow the posted speed limits. Be extra cautious during school hours.
• Watch closely for children: Be on the lookout and yield to children who may be walking, biking or scootering on crosswalks, intersections, or unmarked locations. Remember, children may be distracted or flustered as they learn to navigate a new environment, so staying alert is crucial to their safety.
• Obey school bus laws: The overhead amber flashing lights indicate that a school bus is preparing to stop to pick-up or drop-off passengers. While amber lights are flashing, drivers travelling in both directions on undivided roadways need to reduce their speed and approach with caution. When a school bus activates its red flashing lights and extends its stop sign, drivers travelling in both directions on undivided roadways are required to stop 5 meters or more away from the school bus, allowing passengers to enter and exit the school bus safely. Drivers who do not obey bus-related laws may be ticketed.

School safety extends beyond the classroom. Saskatchewan RCMP advises parents and caregivers to consider the following safety measures this school year:

• Staying safe online: Talk to children about the importance of online safety, reminding them to not share personal identifying information publicly, such as their school, home address, or any other locations where they routinely attend. Remind children to tell a trusted adult of any suspicious behaviour or strangers that they encounter online.
• Posting back to school photos: Parents and caregivers are also reminded to keep safety in mind when posting back-to-school pictures on social media. Photos of children holding chalkboard-style back-to-school signs may share with strangers your child’s name and age, where they go to school and what their favourite things are. Photos taken on your front step or in front of the school’s sign could potentially identify where you live or show where your child is enrolled – and likely to be every day. If you want to share back-to-school photos online, limit the personal information included on props and be mindful of the photo background. This can also be a good time to review and update your social media privacy settings.
• Avoid personalized backpacks: Avoid personalizing children’s backpacks or clothing that can be easily seen and read by someone standing nearby. Strangers may use a child’s name to gain their trust, making them more vulnerable in unfamiliar situations. Instead, opt for non-personalized items, or consider putting the child’s name on the inside of their bags or clothing items.
• Know your emergency contacts: Help your children memorize important phone numbers, including their parents/caregivers’ contact information and emergency services, such as 911. If your child does not have a cellphone, consider having a list of important phone numbers in their backpack for easy accessibility.
• Identify “safe strangers”: While in some cases strangers can pose a risk to children, in other situations a stranger might be a child’s access to help in an emergency. Educate children on who is a “safe stranger” to approach if they need help, such as a teacher, police officer, firefighter, security guard, store employee, or even a parent with children.