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School Safety Tips Offered by Attorney General Jeff Landry

BATON ROUGE, LA – It might still feel like Summer throughout most of Louisiana, but Fall is fast approaching and our State’s students are back in school this week!

“Making sure your children are ready for school is about more than just buying them the right supplies for class,” said Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry. “Louisiana parents and guardians can help make this year safer by including our safety tips on their Back to School To-Do List.”

General Landry offers the following Back to School safety tips to help parents protect their children this academic year:
  • Talk about online safety. While the Internet can be a great resource for learning, it can also be a dangerous place without proper supervision. Our downloadable resource guide “Be Smart with Your Smartphone” can help you have this important conversation with your kids!
  • Avoid distracted driving. Back to School means more people on the road and more chances for accidents. Do not text and drive. Be aware of school zones and cross walks. Never pass a stopped school bus and stop far enough back to allow students the space to safely enter and exit the bus.
  • Be cautious with personal information. Keep your child’s identifying information, like Social Security numbers, away from strangers. Verify the identity of anyone claiming to be from your child’s school before releasing information. Ask the school about its student privacy policies.
  • Ensure school has current safety plan. Every school should have a mapped out plan of what to do if a variety of emergencies occur. This should include how they work with local law enforcement and first responders. If possible, request a copy and review it with your child.
  • Get to know teachers and caretakers. Make sure you know the names and contact information of those who will be caring for your child. Make sure your child’s school and after school activities screen their employees, including background checks.
  • Update emergency contact list. Give a list of emergency contacts to your child’s school and any afterschool programs. Make sure that your child knows who would pick them up in case if not you. Confirm your child has memorized his or her full name, your full name, and your best phone number in case of an emergency.
  • Encourage open communication. Teach your child to talk to you or a trusted adult if something at school seems wrong or if someone is making them feel uncomfortable.

For more safety tips, call Attorney General Jeff Landry’s Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-351-4889.