Put rail safety on your “Back-to-School” list

September is here and young people from coast to coast are heading back to school. It’s a busy time of year. There are the school supplies to buy, and the back-to-school clothes to pick out. But as you or your family prepares to head back to school, don’t forget to find time to ensure everyone knows how to stay safe around railway tracks.

“A new school year often means a new school, and if it’s in an area close to railway tracks, kids need to know how to stay safe. Ensuring kids understand railway warning signs and signals, and just how dangerous trespassing on railway property and tracks can be, could save their lives,” explains Sarah Mayes, National Director of Operation Lifesaver.

Get to know the rail safety rules

So, whether they’re starting first grade or heading off to university, ensure the students in your life know these rail safety rules:

• Obey all railway signs and signals.
• Stay off your phone when around tracks.
• Don’t use tracks as a shortcut.
• Only cross tracks at designated railway crossings.
• Keep one ear out when wearing headphones so you can hear trains coming.
• Always stop, listen and look in both directions before crossing railway tracks.
• If you’re riding a bicycle, consider walking it across the tracks a at designated crossing.
• Never play on or near railway tracks or trains.
• Never throw things at trains or place things on railway tracks.

Check out our website for other resources to help you and your loved ones stay rail safe this school year. And take our quiz to see how rail smart you are—it might be the most important test you take all year!