As your children begin to grow, it’s essential to talk to them about safety, and what they should do in certain situations. The earlier you speak to your children about this, the more they will be prepared in case of an emergency. In this article, we’ll talk about six things to teach your kids to help keep them safe.
Road/car safety
In 2015, over 1000 children were killed in motor traffic accidents in the US. In fact, it’s one of the leading death causes for children aged between 5-9. It’s best if you start teaching children the danger of cars as early as possible, so they are always on the lookout near roads. Try and explain to them the importance of looking left and right, and to always hold an adult’s hand. It would help if you also talked with them about never playing in cars, as they can lock themselves
Fire safety
Fire safety is another crucial thing that every child should learn about, and you should always have a plan in place in your household. This should include what to do and where your meeting point outside is. Simple things like teaching them to stop drop and roll and to crawl if it’s smokey can make a huge difference.
Being home alone
When your children begin to get a bit older, you may consider leaving them home alone at certain times. You must explain how they can be safe during this time. Make sure you leave a contact list of numbers next to your phone in case of an emergency and remind them to lock all the doors and windows. You might even consider getting a security system like those at Vivint home security to keep an eye on things.
Water safety
In 2017, around 1000 children died due to drowning. That’s a significant number, and while teaching to swim does help, it’s not the only way to prevent accidents. Make sure your children know never to go near water when they are alone and keep your pool gated and closed at all times. Sun safety also falls under this, so make sure you teach them the importance of wearing sunscreen and drinking plenty of water.
Getting Lost
Just like house fires, a family should always have a plan in place for if they lose a child. For the children that are old enough to understand, try explaining to them to go up to a trusted person like the police or an employee if they do become lost. For those that are younger, make sure they keep a copy of your phone number with them on a bracelet or backpack.
Stranger Danger
Lastly, one of the most important things you should teach your children about is stranger danger. By teaching them to keep the door locked at all times and never to approach strange cars, you can make sure they are safe. Some parents also recommended having a secret code or word so that they know who is a friend and who is a stranger. And that’s it! By teaching your children what to do in specific situations, you can ensure that they will be safe at all times. Make sure you let them ask questions, but also inform them of why you are explaining these things.
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