A
As a child gets off
the bus, a drawstring or backpack strap can catch in the
handrail.  |
Tip
#13 Handrails & drawstrings:
clothing causes school bus hazard
Drawstrings can be
dangerous
Current styles and fads of
children's clothing, especially drawstrings, have brought
new injury risks. Some clothing can cause deaths and
injuries by catching on bus doors or handrails,
playground equipment, and cribs.
Items that can catch in
these areas:
- Jackets, sweatshirts,
and clothing with
drawstrings at the neck or waist;
- Backpack straps,
dangling key chains, scarves,
belt buckles, and other loose clothing.
How can a drawstring
hurt a child?
A drawstring at the waist,
hood, or neck on clothing can catch in a small gap in
playground equipment, a bus handrail, or on a bolt. A
drawstring with a large toggle or knot at the end is most
likely to get caught (B).
As a child gets off the
school bus, a dangling drawstring or loose object may
catch in the handrail. If the bus doors close and the
child isn't seen, she could be dragged and run over by
the wheels (A).
School bus improvements
help reduce danger
While clothing changes are
very important, school bus manufacturers and school
districts are working to change handrails. New handrails
are made so they won't catch drawstrings. Older buses are
being repaired (C).
Bus drivers are trained to
watch children as they get off the bus. Your child's bus
driver should make sure each child has completely cleared
the bus when leaving. He also should look for clothing
that could get caught.
Simple steps make
clothing safer
- Choose clothes
without drawstrings snaps, Velcro, buttons, or
elastic are better choices (D).
- Remove hood and neck
strings.
- Remove drawstrings
from the waist and bottom of coats.
- Warn children about
dangling key rings, large buckles, and other
objects hanging from their backpacks.
For a
flyer on how to test for handrail snagging
or for other school bus safety information
(including vehicle recalls), call the
NHTSA Auto Safety Hotline: 1-888-DASH-2-DOT
or visit the NHTSA website, http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/.
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