The start of the school year means school bus riding for many children. Students who are not familiar with school buses are at particular risk of injury, as are students who may have forgotten key rules and precautions over the summer break. Some of the most common hazards include falls from loss of footing or from students playing while the bus is in motion. Bus accidents that involve a bus and other vehicles are less common, but still remain a potential hazard for students. One of the primary factors associated with student injury on buses is the lack of seat belts in many districts.
Car accidents are an issue for teen drivers when the school year commences. Science Daily reports that motor vehicle accidents associated with teens going to school are directly related to lack of sleep and early start times in some school districts. A study in one Kansas school district with a high rate of teen car accidents argued that the number of crashes is reduced when school districts schedule later start times for high school classes.
The Columbia Asthma and Allergy Clinic states that when a new school year begins illnesses among students increases. The spike in illnesses is primarily due to the presence of viral infections within the student body, as well as students' immune systems being weakened by summers spend away from threats. Students with viral infections, such as colds, flu and upper respiratory infections, spread the viruses to other students. In some cases this may mean an increase in illnesses such as asthma and allergies.
Teachers who are not prepared may also present unintended hazards to their students. For example, in the science classroom students regularly come into contact with lab equipment and chemical substances. In elementary school classrooms, supplies may not be stowed properly, or more dangerous tools like scissors or staplers may be left within easy reach of little hands. In order to limit accidents, teachers must provide direct instruction to students related to proper behavior, including rules specifying what can and cannot be touched or used and how. Additionally, teachers must inspect, clean and stock supplies as needed to ensure that student experiences in the classroom are as hazard-free as possible.