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Teaching Safety to Kids
Keeping An Eye Open
In today's unpredictable world, parents often feel uneasy when their
offspring go outside or in public without adult supervision. And, even
having to leave older children alone at home can create anxiety.
- Start to teach your children about personal safety at a very young
age. They should memorize their home address and phone number as soon
as they are able. Children should always carry some form of identification.
Equip your kids with a laminated ID card that includes name, complete
address, telephone number and the name and phone number of an emergency
contact person.
- Keep up-to-date records on your child, including a recent photo; a
lock of hair wrapped in plastic; and a document listing age, blood type,
height and weight, date and location of last dental X-rays, distinguishing
marks, eye color and any other identifying characteristics.
How to Prepare Your Child for Walks to School
- Map out a route to and from school. Walk it with your child until
he or she becomes comfortable with this route. Make sure your child
follows this same path every day unless he or she has your permission
to go another way.
- Find out if your child's school has an attendance call-back program
to inform you if he or she does not arrive at school.
How to Prepare Your Child for Being Home Alone
When you need to leave an older child at home alone, be sure that he
or she understands the following safety practices:
- How to call you at work – or a neighbor if you can't be reached
- How to call 911 in the event of an emergency
- How to get out of the house in case of a fire
Instruct your child to never let anyone in the house, even someone who
claims to be a policeman. Also, your child should know to never tell a
caller that he or she is home alone; instead, your child should say that
his or her parents can't come to the phone right now.
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