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Talking With Kids About Safety

Teaching children about safety often poses a dilemma for parents. On one hand, we want our kids to be prepared to act quickly and effectively in the face of danger. On the other, we don't want them to live in constant fear of physical harm.

You can help kids develop the safety tools they need and avoid causing unnecessary fear by discussing safety often in a matter-of-fact way, starting at an early age. Don't wait until a neighborhood child has an accident to talk about bus safety, or postpone discussing stranger danger until a high-profile kidnapping case is in the media. Frequent talks and drills about all kinds of ways to stay safe help children understand that learning about safety is an important step in growing up and taking care of themselves. They don't need to be fearful; they just need to be smart.

When teaching kids about safety, be sure to stress that they have the power they need to protect themselves. Their decisions and reactions play a crucial role in avoiding potential harm. Kids can do a lot to keep themselves safe. All they need are the proper tools and faith that they have the right and the ability to protect themselves.

 

• Maintain up-to-date identification information on your child, including photographs, video and fingerprints.
• Maintain an up-to-date list of addresses and phone numbers for all your child's friends.
• Know the parents and adults who live with your child's friends.
• Designate "safe houses" in the neighborhood that your child should go to if he or she needs help.
• Know your child's route to and from school.
• Remember what your child is wearing on a daily basis.
• Establish a secret family code word or phrase. Instruct your child to ask for that code word before going anywhere with an unfamiliar person. If the person doesn't know the code, the child should refuse to go.
• Be sure your child knows not to get into cars with or go into the houses of neighbors he doesn't know well. Go over a list of neighbors with whom it is OK to interact.
• Keep all doors and windows locked, even when you are home.
• Do not advertise your child's name on his or her clothing, school supplies or backpacks.
• Do not leave your child alone in the house, on the street or in the car.
• Teach your child phone number and how to dial 911.
• Teach your child how to use a pay phone to call home or dial 911, even if she has no coins.
• Be an "accessible" parent. Really listen to your kids, so they feel comfortable telling you anything. Encourage them not to keep secrets from you.
  

• It is all right to say no to grownups.
• It is OK to be rude to an adult in certain situations. (For example, if a stranger in a park asks a child to help search for a lost puppy, the child should not respond.)
• Kids should be as loud as possible when they are in danger, even if the stranger has a weapon. If a stranger tries to take a child from a public place, he or she should shout, "This is not my parent!"
• It is OK to use physical violence such as biting or kicking in order to protect themselves from harm. It is always better to fight back at the onset of an attack. Once a victim is captive in a car or other secluded place, his or her chances of escaping unharmed are greatly reduced.
• Kids should never get into a car with anyone but Mom, Dad or a designated adult.
• If someone in a car asks for directions, children should get as far away from the car as they can. Adults should ask other adults, not kids, if they need directions.
• Children should approach a police officer if they need help or are in trouble.
• It is also OK to ask other children, mothers with children, and uniformed personnel such as store clerks for help.
• However, children should never leave an area (store, zoo, etc.), even if the person helping asks them to.
• Kids should yell "no" or "stop" if someone touches them inappropriately.
• Children should trust their instincts. Remind your child that even if he or she makes a mistake with an innocent stranger, you will be supportive.
• Even trusted people shouldn't ask a child to do something that makes him or her uncomfortable. Remember, only a very small percentage of child abductions are by complete strangers.
• It's safest to always walk against traffic on the sidewalk.
• They should always tell a parent or responsible adult where they are going and when they'll be home.
• They should always walk and play at places parents say are OK and avoid shortcuts and alleys.
• They should always play or go places with at least one other person--never alone.

 

• Never walk alone. Always partner up with at least one other person.
• Stick to established routes. Don't take shortcuts.
• Stop at intersections before crossing streets. Always look left, right, then left again before crossing.
• Always use crosswalks.
• Observe all traffic lights.
• Always walk against the flow of traffic; you should be facing oncoming cars.
• Stay aware of your surroundings, including cars and other people.
• If a stranger in a car asks for directions or asks a child to get in the car, he or she should run in the opposite direction the car is headed.
  

• Be at the bus stop on time.
• Stand away from the curb and wait quietly for the bus.
• Let the bus come to a complete stop before trying to board.
• Don't push and shove! Let people get on the bus one at a time.
• Once onboard, never play or stand in the aisles. Find a seat and sit down.
• Stay in your seat during the ride.
• Listen to the bus driver and follow his or her directions.
• Talk quietly with your friends and don't distract the driver. Driving a bus is a tough job!
• Don't throw things in the bus or out the windows.
• When getting off the bus, avoid the Danger Zone.
• Take 10 giant steps past the front bumper of the bus before you turn to cross the street. This way, you will be in the driver's line of vision when you cross.
• Look both ways before crossing the street.
• Never cross the street behind the bus.
• Once you've left the bus, keep away from it even if you drop or forget something. Wait for the bus to leave.

• Wear a helmet that meets the American National Standards Institute requirements. Wear it flat on the head with the chin strap firmly buckled. (If you can see the forehead, the helmet is too loose.)
• Wear bright colors during the day so motorists can see you.
• Avoid riding at night. If you must go out after dark, wear reflective clothing and equip your vehicle with head and tail lights.
• Pay attention! Staying alert will help you avoid obstacles in your path.
• Ride with the flow of traffic.
• Learn the rules of the road and obey traffic laws.
• Always check wheels and brakes before riding.

 

• Don't tease or call others names. This behavior may seem innocent, but it can cause seriously hurt feelings.
• Respect classmates, teachers and school staff.
• Walk away from fights, and avoid dangerous places.
• Think carefully about the kids with whom you associate. Many students join gangs for protection, but gang members are much more likely to get into fights and be injured or killed than non-gang members.
• Listen to the instructions of faculty members in an emergency.
• Always be aware of the nearest exit on the playground, in the lunchroom, or in any large room.
• Don't be afraid to go to an adult if you know about a weapon or any other illegal activity happening on campus.
• Find ways to resolve conflicts that don't involve violence.
• Tell parents, teachers or another adult if you're being harassed or feel in danger from another student.
  

 

• Is your child at least 10 years old? This is usually considered the youngest age at which a child should be left alone. Your state may have established a higher age limit for children staying home on their own. Be sure to check local laws.
• Is your child emotionally ready? If a child is afraid of being alone, it is too soon to leave him or her unsupervised.
• Does your child know how to respond in an emergency? Kids need to know when and how to call 911 or another emergency number. They should also know how to operate fire extinguishers, how to follow the household fire escape plan, and what to do in the event of a natural disaster.
• Does your child demonstrate good judgment? Parents must be sure that their child will follow established safety rules and directions on answering the door and telephone and allowing playmates in the house.

• Come home by an established route or method of transportation. Kids should walk or ride home only on routes parents have established as safe.
• Never enter the house if anything looks suspicious or if someone is following. In this case, go directly to the home of a safe neighbor.
• Call a parent or other adult upon arriving home. This is a great way not only to "check in," but to catch up and talk about each other's day.
• Keep all doors and windows locked.
• Don't open the door to anyone except people previously agreed upon as OK. This might include certain neighbors, friends or family members.
• Observe telephone rules. If allowed to answer the phone, children should use an established response to callers asking to speak to an adult.
• Observe cooking rules. It is safest to make cooking equipment off-limits (with the possible exception of the microwave for older children). Kids should only fix those snacks parents have deemed OK.
• Observe rules for play. It is up to parents to decide if it's safe for their kids to play in the neighborhood or yard. Generally, it is safest for kids to only play in the backyard. If they do play in the neighborhood, remind them to keep away from strangers and to get to a safe place if they ever feel uncomfortable.