Saber's Back-to-School Safety Tip #1 - Transportation

Over the Summer, we held our inaugural Kids Safety Event. It was a tremendous success. Getting involved and giving back to our community is important to keeping everyone safe and thriving. Now that Summer is almost to an end, most schools in the Savannah-Chatham area are back in session or starting soon. Regardless, Saber wants to provide a few safety tips for you and your kids.

However your kids are getting to school (bus, car, walking, biking, skateboarding, etc.), know the route they get to school. Between home and school, no matter who your kids get there is a high probability of kids getting lost which can put them in danger? Our first weekly safety tip will be about transporting kids to and from school and the sometimes distractions can lead to harm.

Transportation Tips

1. If you are driving them or carpooling, please don't leave until you see them safely walk in the building or at least on school grounds.

2. Walking? Plan the route and walk it with your kids. If there are any vacant lots, abandon buildings and anything that may feel enticing to your kids, be adamant about telling them to stay away from those areas.

3. Riding bikes, skateboarding or even riding the bus, it's important for kids to obey the traffic and school signs, cross guard officers and just be aware of their surroundings. Stay with siblings, neighbors or schools officials in the neighborhood and on school property. Report anything they feel uncomfortable about including people, other kids (bullying) and flagrant drivers.

- If riding a bike or skateboard, helmets are required in the state of Georgia. Following the law is being a good citizen, but also being responsible. Preventing any bodily harm is good practice.

- If riding the bus, have your kids arrive to the bus stop early. Stay seated and follow the rules on the bus. Tell your kids to never walk in front of the bus or bend down and tie their shoes. The bus driver may not see them when s/he pulls off. Work with your neighbors to work in shifts/days to act as a safety monitor. More eyes is better than one and communicating with the bus driver to help clear the way, is also helpful!

4. A most important tip is to STAY AWAY FROM STRANGERS! Discuss who are the community leaders (principal, teachers, counselors, neighbors, police officers, fire department officers, and more) and to go to them if they feel uncomfortable about anyone or situations.

5. Have your kids stick with people they know. They're siblings, neighbors, and friends. Safety in numbers is always good.

6. Does your kids know their address and phone number? What about any emergency contacts? In today's society, your kids probably have a cell phone. Make sure they have quick access to their emergency contacts on their phone or have them memorized.

7. And speaking of cell phones, kids are quick to text their friends about new music, gossip, etc. Why not a quick text while on the bus "Mom, got 2 school safe." or "Dad, just got home ttyl." If we practice good habits for texting, it won't get such a bad rap in the media.

8. Maybe at the first PTSA meeting, raise any security concerns about transportation to and from school. Discuss them as a community and find solutions together. 200 heads are better than one.

9. Remind them of NOT talking to strangers. Have a password or phrase ready in case someone tells your child they you told them to pick them up or meet them somewhere. These are safety measures you really should discuss with your kids on a regular basis. No matter how old they are. Teenagers are just as vulnerable.

10. Our last but never least tip, communication. Communicate with your kids, your neighbors, teachers, school officials and always keep that line of communication open. Remember, your kids are the most precious gifts you have.

We hope our 10 Transportation safety tips will help you. Saber prides itself on helping our community through safety education. The next few weeks, we will provide more Back-to-School safety tips, because yes, if the criminals are being creative, we have to at least know what their creativity will bring.

Remember ... Stay Safe!


About SSI

SSI delivers physical security services for various industries in the southeast region. We provide highly professional security officers for events, facility management, accessibility operations, high-value escorts and executive protection. SSI has presence in municipalities, university campus events, transportation and others. For more information, please visit http://www.sabersi.com/.

Saber's own David Williams Promoted to Site Supervisor

Saber Security & Investigations invests in their people and encourages personal and career growth. Our very own David Williams was promoted to Site Supervisor for two high-profile manufacturing facilities. David is a true leader and continues to exemplify his skills by training and supervising security officers for the company. In addition to serving the Savannah business community, he also serves his more immediate community through prison ministries, helping those incarcerated to change their ways into a more productive citizen upon release. David volunteers at the Big Brother program, his church outreach programs and is also very talented as a member of "The Soul Survivors" gospel singing group. David Williams' hard work and dedication to serving his community is profoundly expressed through his work at Saber and volunteer work outside of the job. So, not only does he help secure company assets, he helps the community Stay Safe through his outreach work. David Williams exemplifies a true human spirit and a strong leader. We are happy to have him as a part of our supervising team.

Articles:
SavannahNow: Hires and Promotions
The Savannah Tribune: Williams Promoted to Site Supervisor at Saber Security & Investigations


Stay Safe!


About SSI

SSI delivers physical security services for various industries in the southeast region. We provide highly professional security officers for events, facility management, accessibility operations, high-value escorts and executive protection. SSI has presence in municipalities, university campus events, transportation and others. For more information, visit http://www.sabersi.com/.