KINGSTON, Jamaica — With the new school year less than a week away, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is reminding students, parents and guardians to make safety a priority as children return to school.

The JCF is urging everyone to remain vigilant, exercise caution and take practical steps to ensure a safe and successful academic year.

Some safety tips for children and parents include:

— Pause, observe, listen: Be aware of your surroundings at all times. When crossing the road, stop, look and listen. Ensure traffic has stopped and that the road is clear in both directions before crossing.

— Be mindful of the time: Plan your daily commute and avoid unnecessary delays. Students should aim to travel during appropriate hours and return home promptly after school or other activities.

— Be alert when entering and exiting vehicles: Take your time when boarding or leaving buses and other vehicles. Board in an orderly manner and check for approaching traffic before stepping onto or crossing the roadway.

— Avoid travelling alone where possible: Students using public transportation are encouraged to travel with friends, in groups or with a trusted adult whenever possible.

— Minimise cell phone use while commuting: Avoid unnecessary cell phone use while walking, crossing roads or using public transportation. Staying off your phone can help you remain alert to potential hazards.

— Keep your belongings secure: Keep bags, wallets, purses, phones and other valuables secure, especially when using public transportation. Avoid displaying expensive items unnecessarily and keep valuables concealed where possible.

— Follow safety instructions: Cooperate with instructions from school officials, security personnel and police officers, particularly during arrival and dismissal periods, road crossings and traffic-control operations.

— Set clear curfews and check-in times: Parents and guardians should establish age-appropriate times for children to return home and ensure they understand the importance of notifying an adult if their plans change or they will be late.

— Know your child’s friends and activities: Get to know your child’s friends, their parents or guardians, and the activities your child participates in outside of regular school hours. Staying informed can help parents identify potential risks early.

— Establish safe pick-up and drop-off arrangements: Parents and guardians should have a clear plan for collecting their children from school. Inform the school of any changes and ensure children know who is authorised to pick them up.

— Teach children about personal boundaries: Have age-appropriate conversations about personal space, appropriate and inappropriate behaviour, and the importance of telling a trusted adult if someone makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe.

— Have a backup plan for emergencies: Discuss what your child should do if normal arrangements change unexpectedly, such as an early school dismissal, a cancelled activity or an unavailable caregiver. Ensure they know which trusted adult they should contact and where they should go.