Now that children are again heading out to school each morning, a local law enforcement official has offered tips to keep students safe.

Lansing Police Chief Steve Wayman urged children to use sidewalks whenever possible.

“Use crosswalks,” he said. “Don’t just dart across the street.”

Wayman said parents need to review with their children the routes that the students should take to their schools. The police chief recommended parents walk the routes with their children and answer any questions they may have.

Wayman said he recently saw a parent accompanying a student to school on a bicycle.

When it comes to riding bikes to school, Wayman said he encourages children to wear helmets.

“I have seen a couple of kids without helmets on,” he said.

Wayman also urged children to be mindful of cars as they’re waiting to be picked up by school buses. He said drivers may not see children who are waiting in streets.

Wayman suggested teenagers who drive to school should watch their speed and be conscious of their surroundings.

“They could be going through areas where there are kids going to another school,” he said.

Wayman suggested all drivers pay attention.

The chief said parents who drop off their children at a school are sometimes running late and in a hurry.

“They want to make up their time,” Wayman said.

But the chief said fines are increased for speeding violations in school zones.

In Lansing, there have been some traffic-flow issues at a new elementary school, Wayman said.

“It’s a new school,” he said. “Things are bit confusing.”

He said police have been working with school district officials to address the problem.