CHILD
SAFETY
Most people think of their home as a fortress that will keep
their children safe and sound.
Unfortunately, there are many emergencies that are beyond our
control. Just because a child is at home
doesn’t necessarily mean they’re safe.
Tha’s why any safety plan has to begin in the home and be discussed with
children so you can keep them safe whether you’re there or not.
WORKING FAMILIES
As a rule, children shouldn’t be left at home alone. But if you’ve decided your children are old
enough to stay home alone, it’s a good idea to walk through a few key safety
and security tips, including:
ANSWERING THE PHONE:
1. Never let the caller know that you
are at home by yourself.
2. Don’t give strangers your address or
personal contact information.
3. Give your child a list of people they
can speak to.
4. Think about installing an answering
machine or caller ID unit so that calls can be screened, and tell your child
they should only pick up the phone if it’s someone they know and are allowed to
speak to.
5. Keep a list of emergency contact
names and numbers near the phone or program them into the phone for faster
dialing.
6. If you have a monitored alarm system,
explain how it is to be used in an emergency.
IF SOMEONE TRIES TO BREAK IN:
2. Call a neighbor or other nearby
contact.
3. Run through the door at the opposite
end of the house and over to a neighbor’s home.
In addition to these tips, it’s wise to find out as much as
possible about who your child’s friends are and what activities they’re involved
in. also be
aware if your child is having trouble at school or with friends.
It’s also smart to write out a list of things for your child
to do to keep them busy—and out of trouble—until you get home. If you’re going to be running late, let them know
as soon as possible.
STRANGER DANGER
It’s important that your child clearly understands the
difference between a friend and a stranger.
Friends are people such as police, teachers or relatives. A stranger is someone they do not know.
Teach
your child to say “No” if they are ever approached by a stranger
who asks them to go with them or offers them a gift.
If someone ever makes them feel uncomfortable, tell your
child they should let a “friend” know about it immediately.
Don’t put your child’s name on anything such as their
T-shirt, lunch box, school bag or anything else that may be visible and that
would let a stranger call them by their name.
SAFETY TALK
A good way to help your child understand the difference
between friends and strangers is to take them on a safety walk in your local
area.
Point out which areas are safe and which
are dangerous. And show them
where to go if they need help. If it’s
possible, introduce them to some “friends” such as police, doctors, trusted
storekeepers and your neighbors, and suggest places to go such as a police
station or hospital if they ever find themselves in trouble.
Remind your children that it’s important to always try to
walk with friends and not wander off without telling anyone where they’re going
or when they’ll be back.