Keeping your child safe is a priority. Educating your child about basic safety rules is one way you can help keep your child safe. Explaining safety rules in age-appropriate terms, talking openly about the rules and having consequences for breaking the rules can help to reinforce them and the importance of following them.
Keep Personal Information Private
The FBI cautions all children to never give out personal information over the Internet. Teaching your child not to give out her name, address and phone number can help to keep her safe. Keeping your computer in the living room of the home, rather than allowing her to have her computer in her bedroom, can provide you with easier access to monitor computer use. Having a list of your child’s computer passwords can also help you to monitor your child’s computer and Internet usage.
Ride In A Properly Installed Car Seat
As many as 80 percent of car seats are improperly installed and used, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Riding in a properly installed car seat and ensuring that your child is properly buckled into the car seat can help to keep him safe while riding in your car. When using a five-point harness, the straps should be pulled tightly and the locking clip should be placed at armpit level. Checking your child’s car seat regularly and confirming that your child is still within the height and weight limitations of his seat can help to ensure his safety.
Stay Put If Lost and Ask for Help
Instructing your child to ask for help by reaching out to a uniformed police officer or security guard, a clerk wearing a store name tag or a mother with children can help her to get assistance should she need it. Teaching your child to stay put if she has wondered off or if she is lost can increase the chances that she’ll be found more quickly, according to MissingKids.com. While teaching children never to talk to strangers used to be standard protocol, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children has never supported teaching that lesson because most children are abducted by people they know. Teaching your child not to talk to strangers also eliminates access to a source of help should your child need it.
There Are No Secrets
Empowering your child to tell you anything is an important lesson to teach. Having a “no secret” rule can help your child to understand that it’s not OK for someone to tell him not to share something with his mom or dad. Encouraging open communication and letting your child know that he should tell you anything that makes him sad, scared or uncomfortable can help to keep him safe by alerting you to any potential safety concerns.
