Physical safety tips for kids

For any parent the nightmare scenario is an accident involving their child. While statistics show that children are safer today than they have ever been it falls to parents to teach their children about safety. Yet like much of parenting this can seem overwhelming for a new parent who can view the entire world as a threat to their child. But with some careful teaching (and of course monitoring on your part) you can teach your child about physical safety and improve the odds that they will never have a serious accident. Here is some information on helping you teach your kids about physical safety-

• Consider the age. The age of your child will be the first indication about what physical safety aspects you will need to be teaching. For example once a child reaches toddler age you will need to teach about that the stove is hot, dogs can bite but automobile safety will be years off. In addition do not waste your breath trying to convince your overly friendly toddler not to go with a stranger since most kids this age lack the maturity to understand what a stranger is. As your child grows you will have to determine what they need to know about physical safety that is appropriate to their age.
• Consider the personality of your child. Some kids can take in safety information in a matter of fact way while others may be overwhelmed and scared. If your child tends to be stressed easily or may be overcome with fear than proceed with caution. Make sure that you are teaching them calmly and try not to transmit your own anxiety over safety issues. Reassure your child that you will be there to help watch over them but as they grow they need to know how to protect themselves in a number of ways. Also let them know that there are other adults in their lives that will be watching over them as well. This can go along way towards reassuring a more reserved and timid child. Remember you want them to be prudently safe not too frightened to go outside.

• Consider the maturity of your child. Remember that not all 4 or 6 or even 17 year olds are the same maturity. While some kids get that they cannot get in a car with a stranger others may miss the significance of this safety tip for a long time. If you feel that your child seems unable to grasp the safety tips you are trying to teach them than shelve the information, up your supervision of them on this point and wait awhile before you try and teach it again. Sometimes it just takes some time for your child to reach the level of maturity they need to understand the safety point you are trying to get across to them.
• Consider that they are kids. While certain points of safety should be non-negotiable (bike helmets, online safety, driving etc.) you must resign yourself that your kids probably will not adhere to all of your safety rules all of the time. In addition you may become frustrated by having to teach the same points over and over again but just remember this means that your kid is normal as you join thousands of parents who have to do the same thing over and over again!

Now that you know how and when to teach your child about safety here are the basics to get you started. Remember that these are basic safety rules you must decide how applicable they are to your lifestyle and where you live. Some of the basic rules of safety are:

• Make sure that your child knows their full name, parent's names, address and phone number. This can be turned into a game, song or a fun car activity for preschool children.
• Teach your child when and how to use 911 and 0. Also let them know they can dial 911 and 0 from a pay phone without any money. Be sure to stress that these actions are only done in the case of emergency since many children are fascinated with this concept.
• Never let your child put their name on clothes, jewelry, caps or belongings where people can see it. This is often an open invitation to predators who can then address your child by their name and assume a familiarity.
• Make sure that your child knows that they can tell you about things that happen to them that make them feel scared, uncomfortable or sad. Let them know again and again that there is nothing they can tell you that will make you stop loving them. In addition help them understand the difference between a good secret and a bad secret. It can help to explain that a good secret is fun to keep, like a surprise party. A bad secret will feel bad to keep, and telling their parents about it does not make them a "tattle tale."
• Teach your child about the concept of strangers. Many young children think that strangers are only dark and scary men. Help them understand that strangers are anyone they do not know well. Explain that people they recognize (like the mailman or ice cream truck driver) are strangers, and that someone can be a stranger even if they look nice or know their name. Stress with them that they never tell strangers their name or where they live.
• Teach about the "Buddy System". Help your child understand that they should avoid walking or playing alone outside and in public places. Tell them that if they cannot find a friend to do this with they should come right home. In addition teach your child when walking down the street to always face the traffic so that they can see if someone stops their car near them. Stress that they never take short cuts through deserted areas like creeks or vacant lots.
• Teach the "Yell No, Run and Tell" system. It is important that your child understand that yelling and running are better safety ideas than trying to hide. You can help them with this idea by role playing if a stranger approaches them, they will yell "No," Run to where there are safe adults, and tell an adult.
• Explain about keeping a safe distance. Help your child to know to stay a safe distance (approximately three arm-lengths) away from strangers and stranger's cars, even if a stranger seems nice. Teach them to run in the direction opposite from the direction the stranger's car is traveling. In addition let your children know that safe adults do not ask children for help they seek out other adults. (Many predators try and lure children by asking for help finding a lost pet).
• Let your child that it is okay to yell and fight; anything to get the stranger to let go. Explain that yelling is the most important thing they can do, and to yell, "No!" "Help!" or "Fire!" to get an adult's attention.

•     Teach your child about home safety.  You can teach your child to keep all the doors and windows locked if they are home alone, and to go to a neighbor and call 911 if a window is broken or if the door is open when they get home. Teach them about neighbors they can call or go to if they are frightened or frustrated.  Leave phone numbers in an obvious place so an overwhelmed child can reach help easily. In addition it is crucial to teach doorbell safety.  Teach your child to answer the door by asking, "Who is it?" never say that they are alone, and never open the door if they are alone, unless it is someone you told them to expect and let in.
•     Phone safety is also critical for a child who may be home alone.  Teach your child to never say that "I am alone" when a stranger calls. Let the answering machine screen calls or teach them to say, "Mom/Dad can't come to the phone now, can I take a message?" Help your child understand that if someone is making strange noises, saying scary things, or not saying anything, to hang up the phone immediately.
•     The world of physical safety now crosses into cyber space.  Teach your child to never give their last name, address, or phone number to a person on the Internet, and help them understand that it is never safe to meet Internet friends in person without parent's supervision and consent.
•     Helmets and pads can not only save your child from serious injury but may save their life.  Insist that when your children are participating in biking, rollerblading, skateboarding etc that they wear the proper safety gear. Most parents say that if you begin this when your children are young they are less likely to fight you on this.  Make sure that the safety equipment you provide them with fits and is the appropriate item they need as well.  A poorly fitted helmet is hardly better than no helmet at all.  Let your children know that you require the wearing of safety equipment as a non-negotiable item for participating in these sports.