School and home are two of the safest places a child can be. But what about the time in between the two? With the start of school right around the corner, parents should make their kids are getting to and from school safely.

In many households, both parents typically work and lack the time to take their children to school or sit with them until the bus comes. This usually leaves little choice but to let children either walk to the bus stop and take the bus to school or just walk to school if it's close enough. However, there are some safety tips that parents can follow to make sure children stay safe:

• Sit down with your child and map out a safe way for them to walk to the bus stop or to school. Then, do trial runs with them along this route until they know it by heart. Take this time to point places they should avoid (construction sites, abandoned buildings) or safe places they can go (libraries, friend's house).
• Teach your child to follow traffic signals and rules when they're walking or biking. Remind them to always wait and use the crossing guards when crossing any busy roads with high levels of traffic.
• Encourage your child to walk with his or her friends to the bus stop or to school.
• Have your child memorize important information, such as your cell phone number, home phone number and house address. Have you child carry this information on their person in case of emergency.

If your child is riding the bus, there are a few other rules they should know:

• Arrive at the bus stop at least five to ten minutes early.
• While waiting for the bus, don't play in the street. Stay on the sidewalk or grass.
• Before crossing in front of a bus, be sure your child can see the bus driver and bus driver can see them. Never, under any circumstances, cross behind the bus.

Have your kids follow these simple rules and you'll rest easy knowing they'll get to school safely.