(HealthDay News) -- It's important to teach your child basic safety rules to be followed when boarding or exiting a school bus.

Here are suggestions, courtesy of the U.S. National Safety Council:

  • Always wait on a sidewalk until the bus comes to a complete stop and the doors open. Never wait on a street, road, or alley.
  • Make sure that the driver can always see you. Never walk behind the bus.
  • If crossing in front of the bus, walk at least 10 feet in front of it, until you can turn around and easily see the driver.
  • Pay careful attention to traffic, traffic signals and signs from the driver on when it is safe to cross the street.
  • Use the bus handrail to climb up or down the steps.