Safety Tips for Kids who Commute to School

Bike to School : Safety Tips

Back to School Transportation Safety Tips

As families prepare to head back to school, it is important to familiarize parents and children with some potentially lifesaving safety tips. Buses and bicycles are two of the most commonly used forms of transportation amongst children commuting to and from school. Dr. David Arai, emergency medicine physician on the medical staff at Centennial Medical Center in Frisco, Texas, answers some questions about back-to-school bike and bus safety.

Q: What are some of the most common injuries seen in bike-related accidents?

We see a significant amount of internal injuries, like bleeding from the liver or other internal organs and ruptured spleens. Since children and teenagers have enlarged spleens in general, the risk of damage to this organ is greater. Head injuries and broken bones are common as well, and if a bone such as a rib is broken, children run the risk of puncturing a lung.

Q: What factors contribute to the severity of bike injuries?

When Your Child is Nervous About the First Day of School

Child nervous about first day of school

When Your Child is Nervous About the First Day of School: Overcoming the Queasies

The first day of school is a landmark day at any age, but especially if it’s the day he enters first grade, or she enters middle school. It’s normal to have questions, doubts, and even a few fears related to those big days. “What will my teacher be like? Will I get lost? Will I make a friend?” These are just a few of the questions your child may be asking and worrying about. What can you do to help your child manage these normal, but a bit scary feelings? Here are five tips to help you navigate the queasies this school year.