Observe school-zone speed limits for children’s safety Published Aug. 22, 2012 By Airman 1st Class Frank Casciotta 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- It's that time of the year when parents look forward to some quiet time and children moan and groan about homework. The 71st Flying Training Wing safety office has some pointers for safe ways to approach the school season, which started Aug. 22 at Eisenhower Elementary School on base. "We have a unique situation here having an elementary school on base," said Craig Wetherington, the ground safety manager at Vance AFB. "Off-base kids are brought on base by bus and by their non-base personnel parents, which increases traffic during school hours." Increased traffic isn't the only safety concern. The school zone speed limits will be strictly enforced by the 71st Security Forces Squadron during school hours, said Wetherington. "People need to pay close attention to speed limits in the school zone during the mornings, lunch time and when school gets out. Otherwise they'll be looking at a ticket," said Wetherington. Parents can make the trip to and from school a bit safer for their little ones with simple choices and precautions. "Kids should be wearing brightly colored clothes so they are more visible in the mornings while waiting for the bus," said Wetherington. "Children should avoid wearing clothes with drawstrings. The strings can become tangled in playground equipment." While helping the young ones gather their books for the day, keep in mind that the recommended weight for a backpack should be no more than 10 to 15 percent of the child's body weight. Boys and girls should always have both straps over their shoulders and make sure they are tight enough to keep the bag close to the body. "School buses will be making stops on base," said Wetherington. "When those red lights are flashing vehicles in both lanes of traffic must stop, because children are either boarding the bus or leaving it."