Safety Tips For Children

There is nothing more precious and more vulnerable than our children. Unfortunately, we cannot always be there to protect them, and we must do everything we can to insure their safety. We have provided some helpful safety tips below to safeguard your most cherished loved ones:

Knowledge is Power

Knowledge in the hands of your children will empower them. Please make sure that your children become conversant with the following information:

• Their full names
• Their address including city and state
• Their telephone number including area code
• The full names of both of their parents
• The cell phone numbers of both parents including area codes

Practice Exercises to do

The following are recommended exercises to do with your children to promote their safety.

• As it is important for your children to know how to dial both emergency numbers, the operator as well as your own telephone numbers, it would be helpful to have your children practice dialing 911, the operator and your own telephone numbers using both a play phone as well as a cell phone.
• Lock all of the windows and doors, explain to your children that they should not open the door without checking to see who is there first and then arrange to have someone come by and ring the bell and make sure that they check to see who is at the door before they tell you if you should open the door.

Action Items to do

• Perform research and gather information about the people that your children will be interacting with such as baby sitters, teachers, etc. such as checking references.

Instructions to give your children

There are certain instructions and warnings you should give your children so that they will be aware of certain items from you.

• Explain to your children that “strangers” simply mean people that they do not know well, but that strangers can be nice, friendly and pleasant and do not have to be mean. Many children believe that strangers must be mean.
• Explain to your children that they should never engage in dialogue with people they do not know well.
• Explain to your children that they should never accept gifts or rides from people they don't know well.
• Explain to your children that if they are ever lost in a store or mall or anywhere else or become separated from you, they should immediately go to a store clerk, security officer or police officer.
• Encourage your children to be honest with you about their fears and their feelings and help them understand and trust their instincts.