Believe it or not, kids in some parts of the country have already went back to school. Luckily, in the northeast and other areas, we are just about getting all those final details in place before the kids start school in a few days, but it's a good time to remind children and parents how to safely return to school.

Whether your children are walking, riding the school bus, being driven, or riding a bicycle there are a few tips from Consumer Reports to ensure they are as safe as possible.

If kids are walking:

• Map out a safe route to school and walk it with your child for a few days so they become familiar with the way.
• Make sure your child crosses at intersections where there is a crossing guard.
• Have children wear bright clothing that can be seen by drivers.

• Check to see if the school bus has lap and/or shoulder seat belts and if so, make sure your child uses them at all times.
• Tell your child to wait for the bus to stop completely before trying to board or exit.
• Teach him or her to look both ways before crossing the street.

• Obey the local school bus laws. It is illegal to pass a stopped school bus when its stop signal is extended.
• All children under 13 years of age should ride in the rear seat of vehicles.
• If you have a teen driving to school, make sure they drive safely by using a seat belt at all times, limit the number of passengers, and set rules on distractions in the car such as no calling or texting behind the wheel.

On a bicycle: 

• Make sure your child always wears a bicycle helmet. 
• Show your child the appropriate hand signals for turning.  
• Explain the "rules of the road"--obey stop signs and traffic lights.  
• Put your child in bright clothing to increase visibility to drivers.