2 Things North Dakota Parents Need To Remember

Kids are getting ready to get back to school and start hitting the books. Before that happens, North Dakota parents need to remember a couple of things in regards to kids' safety.

Sometimes we don't think about these potential risks. Sometimes, we're just trying to commemorate a special moment, sending our kids off to their first day of school.

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While taking first day of school photos is something we love and should do, keep in mind there are dangers.

If you plan on taking a photo of your kiddos before the bus pulls up to your driveway, remember to keep an eye out.

You don't want to have your kids pose in front of your house. Any landmarks that might tip off potential predators should be left out of the photo. Also, watch out for street signs and mailboxes. If those are in the photos, you could be giving out your direct address to the whole internet.

One other thing parents, or any North Dakotan, should keep in mind is school bus laws. School buses are soon going to be all over the roads, so brush up on what's legal and what's not. If you're not sure, don't do it.

Remember, it is not lawful to pass a school bus when its stop sign is out and lights are on, and always triple-check that no kids are crossing the road before you continue driving. You should also stay a safe distance behind the school bus in case it needs to make a sudden stop.

I remember driving behind a school bus once on a rainy day; the bus stopped before train tracks, as they are legally required to do, and I stopped a fair distance behind that bus. Out of nowhere, a woman slammed into the rear end of my car, sending me forward, toward the stopped school bus. She wasn't paying attention and was driving entirely too fast. I hate to think what would have happened if my car hadn't been there to buffer between her vehicle and the bus.

We all made it out without bumps and bruises, but it was still a scary situation. Keep your eyes on the road, and be careful before you take any pictures this year.

Best of luck to all North Dakota kids gearing up for the new school year. Cheers to fun and learning!