Safety Tips for Kids Who Use Public Transportation

Simon at DiBella Law Office asked me to share a link to their website. I looked, said yes, and decided to add my advice as a retired teacher/parent/grandparent. I’d prepare my kids first before putting them on public transportation.

Simon’s link: dibellalawoffice.com/public-transportation-safety-guide-for-kids/ 

I live in a small town; my kids used school buses. But if you live near a city, your child may have to take public transit. It can be an opportunity to learn safety skills and independence. My goal, to help your kids do it safely. 

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 Part 1: Talk to Your Kids: The first step is to have an age-appropriate conversation. You want to inform your child; to help them feel prepared, not anxious.

For elementary age kids, DiBella’s site suggests that parents focus on strangers. Talk about who’s trustworthy, like transit employees or moms with children, and who to avoid. I’d check in with your local transit system for safety suggestions. It’s in their interest to help you and your child.

​For middle and high schoolers, DiBella suggests that parents have honest conversations with their teens about risk, Unfortunately, that might include physical or sexual harassment. You also need to talk about how to report unsafe conditions. You should be their first contact, and their advocate.

To get them ready, I’d ride with my kids first and talk about what we see. How other people handle situations, what they did right, and what they didn’t. I’d let my kids sit by themselves, with me a few rows back as a safety net. It gives them confidence and lets them test their wings.
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I’d also take DiBella’s suggestion to role-play situations your kids might encounter. Practicing where it’s safe, where they can make mistakes helps kids respond when they need to. A rule for teachers: repeat to remember; remember to repeat. Another strategy, ask your kids what they’d do in problem situations. The faster they can answer, the faster they can respond in real life.


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Part 2: Set Expectations for Behavior: Talk with your child about rules for public transportation. Help them understand there are consequences for breaking them.

Here are 6 rules from DiBella’s website. I’d also double check with your local transit company
to see if they have additional ones.

1. No running or climbing on buses or trains. It’s a safety issue.
2. Be courteous to fellow passengers. Think please, thank you, and excuse me.
3. Use headphones when listening to music and videos. It’s the polite thing to do.

4. Be aware of your surroundings and the people around you. If you’re using headphones,
I’d use 1 earbud to stay tuned in. Sit where you have the best view of the people
​around you. Consider the buddy system; 2 sets of eyes are better than 1.

5. Locate the fire extinguisher. I’d also look for exits in case there’s more than 1.
6. Share your location with your parents/guardians, just in case.
 

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​Part 3: Teach Kids How to Handle Emergencies:

No matter how hard you try, you can’t anticipate everything that could happen to your child. But you can teach them how to respond, and you can minimize harm and maximize their safety. 


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The biggest risk for your child— getting lost or confused.
These 2 tips will help them figure out where they are.

1. Teach them how to read the transit maps so they can find their location in real time.
2. Make sure they know their route and the important landmarks on it.
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If your child does become lost, these tips could help them get back on track.

3. Find someone from the transit agency. Being able to identify their
uniforms or knowing where to find them will help.

4. If you can’t find them, look for someone with kids. Moms and dads
will always want to help a child in need.

5. If your child has a phone, have them call or text you right away. Also teach
them to make sure that phone is charged and turned on before they leave the house. 

6. Make sure your child has a card with your contact numbers
in their backpack, just in case that phone dies.


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               ​Part 4: Teach Them How to Deal with Danger:
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When something feels wrong, tell your child to trust their gut and look around. There might be something broken, a reckless driver, or someone behaving strangely. If that happens, try these 2 tips.

1. Move away from the problem. Giving yourself distance, even backing away, is a good thing.
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2. If things still feel wrong, get off the bus/train and contact a parent right away.
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​Your kids may need to get help from the transit authority, so prepare them ahead of time.​

​ 3. Show them where to find security booths and call boxes along the routes they use.

4. Help them program the transit security number into their phone.

5. If your child gets on or off in a school zone, tell them they can go inside for help.

6. Let them know 911 is the best option for emergencies ​like fire, a serious injury, or crime.
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No matter who your child calls, they’ll need location details like….
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          1. The platform or bus stop number

          2. The station name

         3. Nearby landmarks
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                                                                                     Part 6: Additional Information and Resources:
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Part of keeping your child safe is teaching them how to handle basic first aid, just in case. You’re giving your child a gift…the knowledge and confidence to handle whatever happens.

1. Keep band-aids and antiseptic ointment in your child’s backpack so they can handle small injuries like cuts.
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2. Talk about the differences between small things and serious ones, like what to do if they’re in a bad fall. Should they ask a transit employee for help or call 911?
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Click on the link from DiBella and scroll down to the bottom. Don’t forget to check with your local transit authority. They may have resources specific to their system. DiBellas include…

​​                          The link: dibellalawoffice.com/public-transportation-safety-guide-for-kids/ 
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​1. Legal Rights & Protections for Public Transit Passengers

2. Responsibilities of Transit Authorities to Ensure Safety

3. Common Legal Issues Involving Accidents or Negligence on Public Transit