Key Safety Habits For Williston Families As School Begins

It's hard to believe summer break is already over.

Tomorrow, students across Williston will be heading back to the classroom, which means backpacks will be packed, school buses will be rolling, and parents will once again be trying to get everyone out the door on time.

While the excitement of a new school year across North Dakota is great, it's also a good time to talk about some simple safety habits. Many school-related injuries are completely preventable according to the NSC, and a few reminders can go a long way toward keeping kids safe.

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ND Backpacks

Start With the Backpack

That new backpack may look great, but it's important to make sure it fits properly and isn't overloaded.

Children should use both shoulder straps when carrying a backpack. Using both straps helps distribute the weight evenly across their shoulders rather than putting all the pressure on one side.

There's also a good rule when it comes to how much that backpack should weigh. It should be no more than 5% to 10% of your child's body weight.

So, if your child weighs 80 pounds, their backpack should generally weigh no more than 4 to 8 pounds.

And while rolling backpacks can seem like a great way to avoid carrying all that weight, they should be used carefully. In crowded school hallways, the wheels and extended handle can create a tripping hazard for other students.

ND playground

Keep Playgrounds and Sports Safe

Once the school day starts, kids will be doing what kids do best: playing.

On playgrounds, parents should consider leaving necklaces and jackets with drawstrings at home. These items can create a strangulation hazard when children are playing on playground equipment.

Sports are another important part of the school experience. A few bumps, bruises, and scraped knees are sometimes part of being a kid, but head injuries should never be ignored.

If your child takes a hard hit during practice or a game, pay attention to how they are feeling and take possible head injuries seriously.

ND distracted driving

A Safe Start to the School Year

Of course, school safety doesn't stop with backpacks and playgrounds. Williston drivers also need to slow down and watch carefully for school buses, children walking to school, and young people riding bikes.

The roads around schools will be busier tomorrow morning, so give yourself a little extra time and keep your eyes open.

The beginning of a school year is always exciting. New teachers, new friends, new classes, and plenty of memories are waiting to be made.

Let's help make sure our kids have a safe, healthy, and happy school year from the first bell to the last.

20 Ways To Save Money Now In North Dakota

Who says saving money has to be boring? From brewing your own coffee to hunting for treasure at thrift stores, there are plenty of clever (and sometimes silly) ways to stretch your dollars. Our photo gallery takes you on a visual tour of simple tricks that add up—packing lunches that won’t mysteriously disappear in your office fridge, turning off lights without starting a household argument, and even planting a backyard garden that might just make your neighbors jealous. Each tip comes with a picture to inspire you, make you smile, and prove that saving money can be both practical and fun. Your wallet—and maybe your coffee mug—will thank you!

Gallery Credit: Scott Haugen