Safety rules for student crossing guards

By Catalogs Editorial Staff

Learning safety rules for student crossing guards is an important training step

The role of crossing guard is vitally important because s/he safeguards the lives of pedestrians. Pedestrians are people who are on foot and crossing streets. The safety rules for student crossing guards include wearing the appropriate apparel at all times when on duty. This is so one is identified as a crossing sentry and can be seen from a far distance.

Those working in this capacity don neon orange or other very vibrant colored jackets, vests or capes so motorists (those driving cars) and pedestrians can readily see them even when visibility is poor. “School Safety Patrol” emblazoned on the apparel makes it clear what this individual does and who he is. Pedestrians and motorists need to follow the instructions of this adult worker or volunteer youth.

Other safety rules include wearing an armband featuring brilliant flashing lights, which increases the visibility of the person. Guards must work in the hot sun and in the rain, snow, sleet and hail, just like postal carriers. Wearing a bold colored, broad-rimmed hat protects them from the sun and elements.

Their clothing should be waterproof. Raincoats, like the other pieces of clothing, should be a bright, visible color. The well-being of the worker must be secured and this is done by making him very visible.

The worker is, ideally, equipped with a hand-held STOP sign and whistles. When he holds up the STOP sign, motorists or pedestrians, or both, STOP.

Students who volunteer for this job are members of the school safety patrol. They make sure the drop-off and pick-up rules of students at school are enforced and assist those crossing the street. However, they do not stop vehicular traffic to allow children to cross the street. They wait for breaks in the traffic and then help kids get across.

Adults who are trained crossing sentries are either volunteers or paid employees of the school. They can stop traffic to allow children to cross a street.

The guard must be a good role model for small children and behave professionally and appropriately. These sentries provide observable notification to vehicles that students are crossing at an intersection. The sentry walks into the intersection and stays there until the children get to the other side of the street. The children are instructed to listen to the sentry’s instruction and only cross when he tells them to. The purpose is to provide safe passage for students traveling to and from school.

Before becoming a guard, these people are trained. They learn how to lessen liability concerns and ensure pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists follow the rules. They learn about laws and regulations, roadway perils, crossing procedures, positioning of the sentry and characteristics of children, including their physical capabilities and behavior.

Crossing a street is a scary experience for a small child, who has not reached his full development either physically or regarding mental judgment. This is why there needs to be a sentry helping children get across the street safely. The person must have good judgment and the capacity to evaluate risk, taking needed action under various conditions when necessary. He is familiar with traffic in the neighborhood he is working in.

The sentry teaches children about safety as well as enforces motorist compliance with the law and reporting anything dangerous taking place. The sentry must know how to handle various situations including divided highways, an undivided highway crossing with no signals, signalized intersections and heavy traffic circumstances.

Students who volunteer for this job become members of the school safety patrol. They make sure the drop-off and pick-up rules are enforced and assist those crossing the street. However, they do not stop vehicle traffic to allow children to cross. They wait for breaks in the traffic and then help kids get across the street. Adults who are training crossing sentries can be volunteers or paid employees of the school. They can stop traffic to allow children to cross.

If a person doesn’t like children and doesn’t like being outside, or isn’t a stickler for safety, this is not the job for him.