Family is a child’s first line of defense. It’s natural to want to protect your child from harm, but you can’t be there every day. It’s important for children to learn to take responsibility for their own safety and to know how to protect themselves when you’re not around. Parents are responsible for creating a safe environment, whether your child is indoors or outdoors. The earlier you start talking about basic safety, the better.
1. Contact Information
Even when your child is young, it’s important to teach them basic contact information, such as your and your partner’s names and phone numbers. It’s also important to know where home is and what nearby landmarks are. Help your child memorize these by practicing them regularly at home. Also help your child memorize a backup number to call, such as a grandparent, uncle, or aunt. Since young children forget information easily, you should remind them as often as possible.
2. Never go anywhere with a stranger
Your child should know that no matter the circumstances, they should never go with a stranger and should never take anything from a stranger. Inform them that if someone says, “Your mother asked me to take you to her right away,” they should stay where they are and call for help. Remind them that in an emergency, you will send for a grandparent, aunt, or someone your child knows and trusts, and never a stranger.
3. Road Safety
Children are often careless when playing and can put themselves in harm’s way. Reduce the risk of injury to children by teaching them the rules of the road:
Check for a car before crossing the road;
Don’t run close to the road;
Know the meaning of road signs and traffic lights;
Only get out of the car on the kerb;
Always wear a helmet when riding a bike, scooter or skateboard.
4. Stay where your child is if you get lost
Teach your children that if they are in a supermarket and they can’t find you, go to the salesperson and ask for help. Emphasize that they should not leave the store! Similarly, if they get lost on the street or in nature, tell them to stay where they are and not see their parents. You can also teach them to ask a parent or another child for help, if possible.
5. Don’t share personal information online
Children are learning to use their smart devices at a very early age. Teach your children to never share information about their school, where they live, how old they are, or their phone number, or to post their vacation plans online.
6. Respect things that are dangerous
There are some things that young children should never play with, including matches, knives, and other sharp objects. You can try to keep things out of reach, but it’s important to teach your child to respect that some things are only for adults and that they should be allowed to use them when they reach what you think is the appropriate level of maturity.
7. Your child’s body belongs to them
Teaching your child about good touch and bad touch can help them recognize when someone is being inappropriate. Explain to your child what are the intimate areas of their body that only your child should touch.
8. Don’t keep secrets
Children are often asked to keep secrets, such as what their friend or sibling has been doing, but teach them that if they think an activity is dangerous, harmful, or really naughty, they shouldn’t be afraid to tell you.
9. When and how to call 112
You’ve probably already taught your children to call 112 in an emergency, but depending on their age and development, children may not know what constitutes a dangerous situation. It’s important for children to know not only how to report an incident, but also when it’s appropriate. Talk about possible situations and the steps to take, and role-play common accidents at home to get them used to calling the emergency services and not be afraid to do so when it’s really necessary.
10. Trust your instincts
Teach your children about their instincts and the importance of following them to stay safe. Teach them that if they are unsure about an action they are being encouraged to do, they should not do it, even if it means distancing themselves from everyone else in the group.
11. Never give out passwords
Explain to your children that you are the only person who should know their passwords. Remind them that sharing passwords with others (even friends) can have serious consequences, such as someone taking over their social media or email accounts and using them for malicious purposes. Teach your child to create a strong password to ensure that their passwords are difficult to crack.
12. Don’t open the door to strangers
Before leaving your child home alone, teach them basic home safety practices, starting with locking the door. Emphasize that they should never open your door to someone they don’t recognize, and discuss which family and friends are allowed in your home when you’re not there.
13. How to Use a Home Security System
If you have a home security system, explain to your children the basic functions, how to arm and disarm the system, what to do if an alarm goes off, and how to avoid false alarms. You may also want to consider placing a security camera by your front door so your child can see what’s outside without opening the door.
Make sure your children memorize their access codes and explain to them the importance of keeping security system information confidential.
With so many safety rules, it’s important to start teaching them as soon as your children are old enough to understand them. Talk openly with your children and avoid nagging them about every little thing. That way, they’ll be ready to tell you everything, and you can give them appropriate guidance.
If you need help making your home safer, contact us!
