HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- With students returning to class Aug. 31, base officials are reminding families to take precautions to help keep children safe, protect personal information and prepare for a safe school year.
Many families celebrate the start of the school year by taking pictures of their children and sharing them on social media. The 66th Security Forces Squadron recommends that parents and guardians consider what information those photos may reveal before posting them online.
“It’s not a good idea to take a photo where your address is displayed or where your car and license plate is visible,” said Capt. Timothy Tran, 66 SFS operations officer.
Tran also recommends removing other identifying information from photos and disabling the location and geotagging features on cameras and social media accounts.
Parents should also avoid posting their child’s full name, teacher’s name or other information that could reveal the child’s daily routine or whereabouts.
Students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade attend Hanscom School, which is part of the Lincoln, Massachusetts, public school system.
“The school sends out important email updates to parents and guardians,” said Laurel Wironen, 66th Force Support Squadron school liaison program manager. “Information will also be posted on the Lincoln Public Schools website.”
Because of the school’s proximity to base housing, bus transportation is not provided.
Students typically walk, bike, use scooters or are dropped off by their parents or guardians.
Base policy prohibits the use of scooters, skateboards and roller blades on installation roadways, except when accessing roadways associated with pedestrians and crosswalks.
Massachusetts law defines an electric bicycle as having fully operable pedals and an electric motor of 750 watts or less.
Riders do not need a license to operate an electric bicycle but must follow the same rules of the road as regular bicyclists.
Bike riders should:
• Ride on the right side of the road, with traffic and in single file.
• Avoid distracted riding. The use of headphones or earbuds is prohibited.
• Always wear a properly fitted helmet and bright clothing.
To operate a motorized scooter or motorized bicycle in Massachusetts, a person must be at least 16 years old and have a driver’s license or learner’s permit.
Drivers also have a role in keeping students safe. Motorists should remain alert in housing and school zones, obey posted speed limits and pay close attention to crosswalks.
Vehicle operators should allow pedestrians to completely cross the street before proceeding through an intersection.
“Be vigilant when driving, especially through housing,” said Tran. “Kids don’t always use sidewalks and crosswalks.”
Back-to-school preparations also include carrying books and school supplies. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that a child’s backpack weigh no more than 15% of the child’s body weight.
It’s also recommended that parents and students check backpack fit and construction. Backpacks should be no wider than the wearer’s torso and should hang no lower than four inches below the waist, according to the National Safety Council.
By taking these simple precautions before the first day of school, families, students and drivers can help make the transition back to the classroom safer for the entire Hanscom AFB community.
Additional information about the Hanscom School community can be found on the 66th Force Support Squadron’s school liaison page.