ATLANTA — The American Red Cross offers this checklist, which can help make sure students are safe as they return to the classroom.

If a student is younger or going to school for the first time, teach them:

— Their phone number, address, how to get in touch with their parents at work, how to get in touch with another trusted adult and how to dial 911.

— Not to talk to strangers or accept rides from someone they don’t know.

If a child walks to school, teach them to:

— Walk on the sidewalk. If no sidewalk is available, walk facing traffic.

— Stop and look left, right and left again to see if cars are coming.

— Cross the street at the corner, obey traffic signals and stay in the crosswalk.

— Never run out into the street or cross between parked cars.

If a student takes the bus to school, teach them to:

— Get to their bus stop early and stand away from the curb while waiting for the bus to arrive.

— Board the bus only after it has come to a complete stop and the driver or attendant has instructed them to get on. and only board their bus, never an alternate one.

— Stay in clear view of the bus driver and never walk behind the bus.

If a student rides their bike to school, teach them to:

— Always wear a helmet.

— Ride on the right in the same direction as the traffic is going.

If a teenager is going to be driving to school, make sure they:

— Use seat belts.

— Don’t use their cell phone to text or make calls and avoid eating or drinking while driving.

Back to school checklist for drivers

— Slow down.

— Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is getting ready to stop slow down and be prepared to stop. Red flashing lights and an extended stop sign indicate the bus is stopped and children are getting on or off.

— Motorists must stop when they are behind a bus, meeting the bus or approaching an intersection where a bus is stopped.

— Motorists following or traveling alongside a school bus must also stop until the red lights have stopped flashing, the stop arm is withdrawn, and all children have reached safety. This includes two and four-lane highways.

— If physical barriers like grassy medians, guide rails or concrete median barriers separate oncoming traffic from the bus, motorists in the opposing lanes may proceed without stopping. Do not proceed until all the children have reached a place of safety.