It may sound odd, but if you want your child to have a safe bus ride, start with teaching the child good manners. Good manners make a safer environment. Wait your turn in line. Don't push or shove. Don't talk over the top of others. Be kind. Mind your manners in the line and on the bus and your ride will be safer.

Stay in your seat. A trick our bus driver uses with the younger children is to tell them to be sure and put their invisible seat belt on. It reminds them to face forward and stay in their seat. When she sees them turning around she can say "Ok everyone, tighten up that seat belt.

Help your child pack up so things are easy to hold and keep track of. Flying books and lunch boxes are not safe. Backpacks are easy to put on, but they are they easy to ride while they are on? If they are packed too full it may be better to hold the pack on their lap so they can sit properly in the seat. The point is they need to in control of their items.

Respect authority. On the school bus that means the bus driver is in charge and it's important to follow instructions. Children need to know the bus driver is "the boss".

Follow the basic rules and the trip should be safe and happy for everyone.

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