Bus stops are placed at centralized locations that can be safely accessed by a significant number of students to minimize the time length and mileage of the run. If you have concerns about your child's safety you are encouraged to accompany your child to the bus stop or arrange a neighborhood buddy to walk with your child.

Children must learn traffic safety rules at an early age. Parents should teach their children to follow these ten steps, developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), whenever they cross a street:
1. Cross at an intersection or crosswalk, if available.
2. Stop at the curb, the edge of the road, or the corner before proceeding.
Look left, then right, then left again for traffic in all directions. If you see
a car, wait until it goes by. Then look left, right, left again.
3. When no cars are coming, walk - do not run - across the road.
Keep looking for cars when you are crossing.
4. If a car is parked where you are crossing, look to make sure there is no driver and the car is not running. Then go to the edge of the car and look left-right-left to see if cars are coming.
5. At intersections with traffic lights, watch for turning cars and obey all traffic signals. Wait until you see the WALK signal and the green traffic light. Remember, the WALK signal and green light mean it's your turn to cross the street, but does not mean it is SAFE to cross. You need to LOOK, and then go if no traffic is coming your way.
6. A flashing DON'T WALK signal means you should not start to cross the street. However, if you have already started crossing when it begins flashing, continue walking.
7. If you see a steady DON'T WALK signal, don't begin to cross the street. Wait for the next WALK signal.
8. Walk on the sidewalk if there is one. If there isn't and you have to walk on the road, be sure to walk facing traffic so you can see what's coming.
9. If you must walk through parked traffic, stop and look carefully before stepping out from between vehicles.
10. Don't run between parked cars and buses. Don't run across the street or through a parking lot.

A lot of times children have to be home alone during certain hours of the day because their parents need to work or run errands. A child left at home alone is acceptable if the child is old enough and emotionally
mature enough to care for themselves. Children need to know how to handle emergencies appropriately. Caring for themselves can include; knowing how to make a snack, how to lock doors and windows, how to
operate the phone, how to contact their parent, how to call 911 for help, and how to identify police officers or fire fighters. Additionally, the child should know exactly how long they will be left alone. Also, children home alone should follow parent's rules strictly, and know the following tips:

1. The first thing you should do when you get home is to lock the door and check in with a parent to let them know
you're home.
2. Never answer the door for a stranger, and never let a stranger know you're home alone.
3. Call your parents or the police if a stranger is hanging around your house outside.
4. If someone calls for your parents, tell them your parents are busy right now, and that you'd be happy to take a
message.
5. No matter how friendly someone seems at the door or on the phone, never let them know you're home alone.

Being safe will make you happy and your family proud of you.
Officer Chris Bitner
Pekin Police Crime Prevention & Crime Stoppers