The CDC has a great feature online article on school safety, and includes tips on helping kids to continue practice safety measures when you are not there. The article includes a wide range of topics, from (helping to) prevent unintentional injuries to building respectful (and nonviolent) relationships:
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/SafeSchools/
A few tips that I thought were particularly helpful:
1. Since motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children in the United States (sorry to start on a "scary" note!), it is important to buckle your child up every time, in an age-appropriate car seat or car restraint.
Also, remember your children who are walking to school, as they are smaller and shorter pedestrians that cars may have difficulty seeing..teach them how to be safe crossing the street. This is not just for the young kids--I'm not sure how many times the college students at my previous employment would CROSS IN FRONT OF A CAR because they ASSUMED the driver saw them (when we asked them about it, they would say, "well, pedestrians have the 'right of way'...."). Caregivers and parents can help our children and (young adult children!) make eye contact with the driver to know they, as the pedestrian, are "seen" and/or to make sure the car has stopped BEFORE crossing in front of it!
Lastly, car safety also includes the new young driver in high school. Let them know the reasons for being safe when driving, including following speed limits, limit excessive noise in the car from passenger friends, radio, cell phones, etc.
2. Teach children about respect and building respectful and positive relationships with their peers. Managing conflict is difficult, even for seasoned adults, but allowing your kids to learn the basics of conflict resolution now will greatly benefit them in years to come.
3. Sports and Playground injuries. The CDC provides information on how to help prevent excess and/or severe injuries and falls during physical activity. (Do schools still even have recess?!)
What safety measures do you discuss with your child(ren) at this time of year for back to school?