The clocks have gone back and the sun is setting earlier. As winter approaches, ensuring your child has a safe journey to and from school is a top priority. In the UK, school children may experience colder and unpredictable weather and darker afternoons.
Follow our top tips to help your child travel safely to and from school.
Layer up
Mornings and late afternoons can be especially cold, particularly if your child is waiting for you or a bus. Make sure they have sufficient layers and a windproof and waterproof jacket. Multiple thin layers are better than one thick layer, so consider insulating baselayers to wear under their school uniform. A hat, scarf and gloves will also keep them warm. If your child will be walking in the dark, bright or reflective clothing ensures they are seen.
Shared pick-ups and drop-offs
If you have multiple children or work commitments, sharing school pick-ups and drop-offs with another family can make things easier. Not only does this ensure your child has a safe journey to school but it also helps you build a relationship with other parents and ensures you have someone to rely on in case of unexpected situations or emergencies.
Travelling in groups
It’s common for children in secondary school to travel home independently. If your family chooses to do this, encourage your child to travel home with friends or classmates, especially if they live in the same neighbourhood. There’s safety in numbers, and travelling in a group can be more reassuring for you and your child.
Sensible shoes
On wintery days, it is especially important that your child wears sensible, non-slip shoes or boots to navigate icy pavements safely. They can carry their school shoes and change into them once they arrive, reducing the risk of slipping during their journey.
Hide valuables
Remind your child to keep their valuables out of sight and be aware of their surroundings, even if the neighbourhood is generally safe. A flashy phone or designer coat might attract unwanted attention. Consider keeping these valuables at home. This minimises the risk of opportunistic theft and allows your child to focus on their journey.
Public transport
Although UK public transport can be infrequent outside of cities and larger towns, it is a reliable and safe option for children. Schools often have dedicated bus services which have stops to and from surrounding areas for students on weekdays. Consider exploring these if your child lives a long way from school, or for wet weather days.
Driving Safely
If you choose to drive your child to school, ensure your car is well-prepped for winter driving. Clear your car of ice and snow before driving and navigate icy roads with caution. You should follow the school’s guidance on drop-offs, such as not stopping directly in front of the school and driving slowly near the school (<20mph). Watch out for lollipop ladies/men (school crossing patrols) helping children cross the road and be cautious around zebra crossings and parked cars as children may emerge suddenly. Being aware of these and educating your child can help ensure a safer journey for all.
By following these tips, you can make your child’s school journey a smooth and safe one.
在冬季安全地上學、放學
隨著冬季臨近，晝短夜長，家長的首要任務便是確保你的孩子安全地返校與回家。在英國，學童可能會面對寒冷、變幻莫測的天氣和天色昏暗的下午時段。
參考我們列舉的注意事項，讓你的孩子上學、下課回家都能平平安安。
溫差
早上和黃昏時段的室外可能會特別冷，尤其是當你的孩子在等你或等巴士的時候，請確保他們有足夠多層保暖、防風、防水的外套。多層薄衣比一層厚衣更好，因此不妨讓孩子在校服裡穿上一件底衣。帽子、圍巾和手套也能幫助保暖。如果你的孩子回家時天色已昏暗下來，穿著明亮或反光的衣服可確保他們能被清楚辨識。
共享接送服務
如果你有多個孩子或有工作在身，與另一個家庭共享學校接送服務可以減輕你的負擔。 這不僅可以確保你的孩子安全上學，還可以幫助你與其他家長建立關係，以確保在發生意外或緊急情況時有人可以依靠。
結伴上學、放學
在中學階段，孩子獨立回家是很常見的事。如果你的家庭選擇讓孩子獨自，請鼓勵您的孩子與朋友或同學一起回家，特別是如果他們住在同一個社區。 人數越多越安全，團體旅行可以讓您和您的孩子更放心。
合適的鞋子
在冬季其中一件重要的事，便是讓你的孩子穿著合適的防滑鞋或防滑靴，以便他們安全地在結冰的行人道上行走。他們可以攜帶校鞋並在抵達學校後更換，從而減少往返校園中不慎滑倒的風險。
財不露眼
即使你家附近的社區大致上治安良好，也要提醒你的孩子將貴重物品放在看不見的地方，並隨時注意周圍的環境。昂貴的手機或名牌外套可能會引起歹人的不懷好意。因此請盡量將這些貴重物品放在家中，這可以最大限度地減少被盜竊的風險，亦讓你的孩子專注於他們的上學路。
公共交通工具
雖然在英國城市或中心地段以外的地方，公共交通班次並不密集，但對於兒童來說，這是一個可靠且安全的選擇。學校通常有專門的巴士接送服務，在上課日為學生提供往返周邊地區的巴士站點。如果你的孩子住的地方離學校很遠，或者天氣潮濕的話，不妨考慮這一選擇。
安全駕駛
如果你選擇開車接送孩子，請確保你的汽車已做好在冬季行駛的準備。像是開車前要先清除車上覆蓋的冰雪，並小心駕駛結冰的道路。你亦應該遵循學校關於下車的指引，例如不要直接在學校前停車，並在學校附近緩慢行駛（<20 英里/小時）。注意lollipop ladies/men（棒棒糖女士/男士）（手持車輛暫停牌以幫助學童穿越馬路的交通安全員），他們會在附近幫助學童過馬路，你亦應該對斑馬線和停泊車輛周圍保持警惕，提防孩子可能會突然出現而發生意外。
了解這些並教育你的孩子相關知識，有助於確保所有人的上學路程更加安全。